GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A new exhibit opened Thursday at the Gerald R. Ford Museum, highlighting former First Lady Betty Ford’s journey with Breast Cancer.

The exhibit is called “The Betty Blip: Betty Ford’s Battle Against Breast Cancer” and focuses on the key moments in history that shaped her experience and told the story of a previously-taboo topic around the diagnosis.

In 1974, just six weeks into her time as First Lady, Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the time of her diagnosis, instead of keeping the news to herself, Ford decided to take her news public and share it with the American people. 

“In the 1970s, no one, not even woman, talked about women’s health or breast cancer or other cancers, so she was, yes, a trailblazer in that way and made it more acceptable, more commonplace for woman to talk about their diagnoses and also to seek treatment and to seek screening,” United States Archivist Colleen Shogan told News 8.  

Ford’s diagnosis started what was known as the “Betty Blip,” the surge of cancer screenings and mammograms during that time. During this time, Ford and all of America were learning about the disease in real time.

The exhibit’s launch does not just come at the time of her diagnosis anniversary but also just days before October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“I can think of no better time to commemorate that month and bring attention to breast cancer then of course having this exhibit open at the Ford library and museum,” Shogan said.  

Beneath the surface of this exhibit is a message emphasizing women’s health, education and breast cancer awareness, all to honor the anniversary.  

“What I hope through the exhibit is that we touch some women who perhaps have very busy lives, and they have not had their breast cancer screening this past year and they realize this is time I have to go and have my screening done,” Shogan said.  

This new exhibit will be open to the public until April 9.