October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month a worldwide campaign started in 1993 by Evelyn Lauder to

• increase awareness of breast cancer
• raise funds for research into the disease
• support people affected by the disease

Readers of my blog will know that I’ve been raising money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer for some time but this month is more about raising awareness than raising money. So my blog is going pink for the month (this is a temporary pink theme at the moment whilst my lovely hubby designs me a proper Pink Ribbon theme – I’ll make this available to anyone who wants it as soon as it’s here)

In the UK over 44,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, that’s more than 100 every day, and around 300 men are diagnosed each year. Worldwide more than a million women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. This means that around 1 in 10 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, just think about that for a moment….out of every 10 women you know 1 will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time in her life. Next time you’re at your stitch ‘n’ bitch group just look around and think about that.

In the UK more than 12,000 women and 100 men will die from the disease every year. This means, however, that many more will have successful treatment, around 8 in 10 survive beyond 5 years of being diagnosed. One of the most important factors in successful treatment is early detection.

For me the most important message of Breast Cancer Awareness Month is for every woman out there to become “breast aware”

Most of us know that finding a lump is a possible sign of breast cancer but there are many other early symptoms which we are not aware of. Thes include changes in

• size or shape of the breast
• skin texture
• appearance or direction of a nipple

Also, discharge, rash or a lump in breast or armpit.

All of us women should become familiar with our bodies and, in particular, our breasts so that we are aware of any changes in them – give your breasts some “TLC”. That is “Touch, Look, Check”

• Touch your breasts. Feel for anything unusual
• Look for changes. Be aware of their shape and texture
• Check anything unusual with your doctor. Chat with your friends if you are worried

We don’t have to follow a fancy routine, just look and feel wherever feels comfortable for you – in the shower or bath, as you get dressed in front of your bedroom mirror, lying in bed before you get up in the morning.

To find out how much you know, Breakthrough have a Breast Cancer Awareness Quiz you can take

If you want to get involved in Breast Cancer Awareness Month then there are lots of ways you can do so, many cancer charities are running fundraising and awareness campaigns with organised events, special items on sale with high street shops, and ideas for fundraising. Perhaps your knitting group could do something – everyone knits something pink and raffles them off? Have a sponsored knit-in?

Check out some of these links

UK-

Breakthrough Breast Cancer -

• hold a Pink Party
• shop Pink for Breakthrough with M&S, Evans, Avon, House of Fraser and many others having special pink products.
• hold a Great Pink Schools Spectacular

Cancer Research UK -

• Think Pink and help fundraise
• Join one of their Walk Together walks
• Shop for pink ribbon items from Cancer Research, Peacocks, and USA Pro

Breast Cancer Care -

• Get “In the Pink” to help raise money
• Buy some of their great items in their online shop

In the USA check out the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month site. For information on events near you.

I’ll add some more links to Breast Cancer sites in the blogroll so if you know of a good one let me know!

The most important thing is to make sure that we and our friends become breast aware – pass on the TLC message to every woman you know – NOW!