October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month - a time to wear pink or dye your hair pink in an attempt to raise people’s awareness of this terrible disease and to promote the need for simple self-checks and to encourage friends and loved ones to do the same.
"But Laura" I hear you cry, "We're all aware that breast cancer is the most common cancer with one person being diagnosed every 10 minutes, so what is this going to achieve?"
Good question! Surveys have show that 33% of women aren’t regularly checking themselves and a shocking 20% of women don’t even know how to check their breasts. And this is what this event hopes to achieve - the spreading of information that can keep you and your loved ones healthy!
"What sort of information?", you may ask...
Well, if you are unsure about how to check your breasts, and great starting point to learn more about how to self-check is http://www.breastcan..._exam/bse_steps
And remember, breast cancer doesn’t always mean a lump… Other less well known symptoms include a nipple becoming inverted or a change in texture of the skin. Again, learn more at http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms.
"This is all well and good, but why is this even important?"
When diagnosed at its earliest stage, 90% of women with breast cancer will survive their disease for five years or more, compared with just 15% when the disease diagnosed at the latest stage. Knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer can lead to diagnosing the cancer sooner. This can be crucial in providing more effective treatment and, ultimately, saving lives.
"Is an awareness event really necessary though?", you suspiciously enquire...
Not really, but it got you reading this and that's the most important thing so my cunning ploy worked! If you want to show your support, by all means join us for an evening of music. But more importantly, read and learn so that you too can have the tools and knowledge to protect your health and wellbeing.
"So, this isn't about raising money then?"
Nope, it's about educating ourselves!
Of course, if this inspires you to want to try to raise money for this cause, then somewhere like https://www.wearitpink.org/ is a great place to learn more about how you could help fundraise. Breast Cancer Now’s Wear It Pink Day is one of the biggest fundraising events in the UK. Taking place on Friday 19th October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, thousands of amazing people will wear it pink in their communities, schools or work places for the UK's largest breast cancer charity, Breast Cancer Now.
Or if you simply want to contribute by making a donation, check out places like https://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/.
When: Monday October 22nd, 19:00 - 22:00 BST
Dress code: Wear Pink - Think Pink
And bringing you the music will be:
AmandaHThomas
LauraTWK
Xanar
