Pink may not be your favourite colour, but it rules in October when pink ribbons and t-shirts are worn by women of all ages – and few brave guys – to show their support for wiping out this deadly disease.

Breast cancer is the major cause of cancer death for chicks worldwide; in Australia alone, women account for more than 11,700 new cases of breast cancer and 2,600 deaths each year.
 
Early detection is critical; the good news is that if your cancer is still contained in the breast when diagnosed you have a 90 per cent chance of surviving five years, compared with a 20 per cent five-year survival chance if the cancer has spread at diagnosis. The bad news is that the incidence of breast cancer is rising. While just 2 percent of women aged between 20 – 34 are thought to be at risk (statistics), it’s still really important to check.

“Don’t think that you can be too young to get breast cancer”, says Melissa (a breast cancer survivor), a keen surfer and mountain biker, who at 24 was diagnosed and has since endured a mastectomy. “I was lucky enough to catch the cancer early”, she says. After a couple of years of treatment, Melissa is back surfing her beloved shortboard and urging all her galpals – and their mums, www.myparentscancer.com.au - to check their breasts regularly. “Tell your friends to check their breasts; you could save their lives”, she says.

With so many brands and organizations working to fund research for the cure against Breast Cancer you, too, can help fuel the fight by buying pink products, volunteering, running or simply spreading the message.  Check out some awesome links to information and cool gear, so you can look great while supporting cancer research and spreading the word.

Roxy is helping to make girls aware.

Boarding For Breast Cancer (B4BC), B4BC.org is a US-based non-profit, youth-focused education, awareness, and fundraising foundation. The website offers heaps of info about self-detection and you can buy loads of cool gear which goes to support the foundation. Team riders, like Tara Dakides, help to spread the word

"Im proud to be part of the something that spreads a powerful message about saving lives. Every time there is a B4BC tent standing people are being educated on the best subject to be educated about, your body. For every time B4BC is on display means one life could be potentially saved. That’s a big deal." -Tara Dakides

Join in and run for Breast Cancer.  Find a fun run nearby to help raise money for research. (Melbourne, Australia; Canada; Race for a Cure, USA; Race for Life, UK ) 

Think pink! Pink Ribbon Day is always on the fourth Monday of October. It raises funds for research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. If you would like to become a Pink Ribbon Ambassador and sell merchandise during the month of October, click here.

Life after BC NBCC’s Survivorship launched on October 1 this year to to support Australia’s 130,000 breast cancer survivors.

Save the Ta-Tas Foundation exists for the advancement of cancer awareness, education and prevention, and to aid in the fight to find a cure. A percentage of all sales go to the Save the Ta-tas Foundation, which supports outstanding organizations that lead the way in the fight against cancer.

Check your breasts!

According to the NBCF, you should look for any changes in the breast which are not normal for you, or which you have not seen before. You should visit a GP if you notice any of the following important changes:

•    lump, lumpiness or thickening: for younger women, if it is not related to the normal monthly cycle and remains after their period and for women of all ages, if this is a new change in one breast only.
•    changes to the nipple: such as a change in shape, crusting, a sore or ulcer, redness or indrawing of the nipple.
•    discharge from the nipple: which is from one nipple and is bloodstained or occurs without squeezing.
•    changes in the skin of the breast: such as any puckering or dimpling of the skin, unusual redness or other colour change.
•    persistent unusual pain: which is not related to the normal monthly cycle, remains after their period and it occurs in one breast only.
•    a change in the shape or size of a breast: this might be either an increase or a decrease in size.
Knowing what is normal for you is just as important after menopause. Breast cancer becomes more common as you grow older, so knowing what is normal for your breasts is just as important after menopause.

More links
Check your cancer risk - www.nbcc.org.au/risk/yourrisk
The importance of a healthy lifestyle
www.keep-a-breast.org
www.nbcf.org.au
www.nzbcf.org.nz
www.neryl.com

www.cbcf.org

Cancer Index; Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Support Board

www.ExplorerGirls.com /  Alison Aprhys
Images: © www.breastcanceraustralia.org (self check), B4BC (Tara Dakides)