Barbie - Not The Only Reason To Go Pink In 2023
Think Pink because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Wear it Pink on October 20th For Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Breast Cancer UK and Breast Cancer Now are two of the UK charities that want everyone to raise money and awareness of Breast Cancer this October.
We know it can be hard for people to read articles about cancers as many of you will know people who have cancer or have died from cancer. But awareness months and days are to remember people, raise money and also learn how to look after yourself to reduce your own risks of getting cancer.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month - here are some of the facts we have read on the charity websites:-
In 2020, 11.7% of all cancers diagnosed were female breast cancer, making it the most common cancer worldwide
In 2020, there were 2.26 million women diagnosed with breast cancer and 685,000 deaths globally
As of the end of 2020, there were 7.8 million women alive who were diagnosed with breast cancer over the past 5 years
In 2019, there were 25,100 men diagnosed with breast cancer and 12,100 deaths globally
In the UK there are around 56,000 new cases of breast cancer every year: that’s over 150 cases every day
In women, on average there were 55,545 new cases each year
18% of breast cancers were in women under 50 and 82% in those 50 or older
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, representing 15% of all new cancer cases
24% of breast cancers occurred in women over 75
In men, there were 375 new breast cancer cases
Each year, there are around 8300 in situ breast carcinoma cases, a non-invasive form of breast cancer which if untreated may lead to breast cancer.
(All this data is based on 2016-18 figures)
It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer - and especially if you have a family history of breast cancer. However - it is not recommended that teenagers or young women do self examinations because the breast tissue is still growing and developing. However it is good to think about how to do it in the future read this to find out a bit more Should I do a breast examination.
So why would we be asking you to be aware of Breast Cancer if we don’t want you to worry about checking yourself? If you go back and look at those statistics the chances are you know someone who has had breast cancer or who has sadly died from it.
If you need to talk to someone about this article or the issues we have mentioned please contcat the drop-in at Pilgrim Street Arts Centre, or if you are in a Wirral Secondary school speak to your Health Services in School Youth Worker.
Oh and if you can WEAR IT PINK on October 20th to remember and celebrate those no longer with us and to raise money and awareness for all people experiencing breast cancer.