By Leah Conway –
Each October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed across the world. It’s a month focusing on spreading information and awareness, raising money, and showing support to everyone, whatever their experience with breast cancer.
Breast cancer affects about 1 in 8 women during their lifetime. It is the most common cancer in the UK but also has a good chance of recovery if it is detected early, which is why spreading awareness and information is so important.
Men can also get breast cancer, but it is very rare; around 370 men are diagnosed each year, most over 60 (but young men can still be affected).
Raising awareness: Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Here follows the NHS’s guidance on the symptoms of breast cancer:
- a new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast that was not there before
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- a discharge of fluid from either of your nipples
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- a change in the look or feel of your skin, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness
- a rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Get involved
To get involved, you can donate but also take part in an array of fun fundraising events.
Corporate partner, pink ribbon lottery £1 week, volunteers, campaign, charity and sports events
By fundraising, you will be helping fund research, care and support for those who need it. There’s a range of events and opportunities from becoming a corporate partner, taking part in the Pink Ribbon Lottery, doing charity sports events like hikes, swims, a race for life, and marathons or becoming a campaigner or volunteer. There are also big annual events like fundraising balls, catwalks and a carolling candlelight service. If running or swimming is not for you, you can even raise money by purchasing special Breast cancer charity products from big names such as Cath Kidston, GHD and Cadbury’s.
Read more: How to raise awareness this World Alzheimer’s Month
Wear it pink
Friday 22 October marks the ‘Wear it pink’ day for Breast cancer awareness. Wear it pink aims to raise awareness and donations for Breast cancer research. People can register for the day with work, schools and communities. You can sign up on the charity Breast Cancer Now’s website. Once you are signed up, they send participants a fundraising pack with all necessary support, including downloadable guides and materials.
What support is out there?
Various charities offer an array of support for anyone going through breast cancer diagnosis, treatments, or caring. Breast Cancer Now has a Mental Health tool kit you can access online, which includes guidance on depression and anxiety, it also includes activities to try such as yoga and swimming, it also has a helpline where you can speak to someone as well as lots of information and blog posts to read about other real personal stories people can connect with.
