What is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and the leading cause of cancer death among women. But if diagnosed early, breast cancer is curable. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an international health campaign that begun in 1985. It spans the month of October to raise awareness of breast cancer. Pink is widely recognised as the colour for breast cancer awareness worldwide and in the UK.
What are the facts? (Breast Cancer Now)
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK
- 1 woman is diagnosed every 10 minutes in the UK
- 1 in 7 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime
- Breast cancer survival has doubled in the past 40 years
- Breast cancer is the 4th most common cause of cancer death in the UK
What are the signs? (Breast Cancer Now)
- Lumps or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit
- Changes to the skin, such as puckering or dimpling
- Changes in the colour of the breast, such as redness
- Nipple changes, such as it becoming inverted
- Rash or crusting around the nipple
- Discharge from either nipple
- Changes in size or shape of the breast
How to check (Breast Cancer Now)
- Feel for anything new or unusual
- Look for changes
- Check any new changes with your GP
Raise awareness
Its one thing to check on yourself, but its another to ask your friends, family, colleagues and mutuals to check on themselves too. Talk about your experiences checking, how you found resources for information, and what to do if something seems different. Consider asking your school, workplace or college to hold an awareness day where an open discussion can take place.
Donate, volunteer or fundraise
By donating, you provide funding for:
- The printing of information for those recently diagnosed
- Providing access to the free helpline run by breast care nurses
- Investing more hours of research into the treatment of cancer
- Supporting clinical trials
- Funding research assistants
- Delivering prevention talks
- Reaching more women to encourage them to reduce their risks
Buy charity items
Asda are selling Pink Diet Coke, Pink Heinz Beans, Pink Toast and more for BCAM 2023. A minimum of 10% of the prices will be donated to Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel!
Looking for a Christmas gift for a friend (or yourself)? A purchase of any item from GHD’s Pink Collection donates £10 to breast cancer charities around the world.
Lip gloss running out? Have no fear – Bobbi Brown’s Powerful Pink gloss duo is back and all revenue (minus VAT) will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Volunteer
If you don’t have money to spare, could you spare some hours instead? Charities are always looking for volunteers to help them achieve their goals. Here are just some of the many volunteering opportunities with organisations working towards breast cancer support and research:
Look Good Feel Better - level 2+ or professional experience in skincare or makeup volunteers
Breast Cancer Now - information point volunteers
Cancer Research UK - cancer campaigns ambassadors
Fundraise
Why not set yourself a goal whilst fundraising for breast cancer support? Or get a team of friends to do something together? Here are just a few ideas of what you could do to raise money:
- Complete a marathon event (it doesn’t have to be active, just needs to take you 26.2 miles or take 26.2 hours)
- Host a community fundraiser event (dance, baking, raffle, football match)
- Host a wear pink to the office/school day and ask everyone to bring spare change
- Hold a craft sale (knitted items, jewellery)
Further information can be found at:
The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network UK
Related Opportunities
If you are studying or researching a STEM-related subject and want to share your knowledge and experience with young people, you could become a STEM Ambassador.
NGA, a Hackney and Islington charity, builds community unity. Join our Outreach Team to create inclusive communities. Volunteers identify needs, advise on strategies, and foster connections.
Join the 'What Are They Thinking?' (WATT) project, where we combat bias and nurture empathy by bringing diverse individuals together to share and listen to their lived experiences.