Join the fight for women’s survival and help Cancer Research UK save lives

To mark the launch of the charity’s new breast cancer awareness campaign, ‘Join the fight for women’s survival’, Cancer Research UK is calling on all women to be breast aware, act now to reduce their risk of getting the disease, and do whatever they can to raise money to fund the charity’s lifesaving work.

‘Join the fight for women’s survival’ is designed to act as a rallying call to support the charity’s work. The campaign aims to engage people with breast cancer, encouraging women to be aware of what they can do to reduce their risk of the disease and to understand the importance of early detection. 

On the fundraising side people across the UK are being encouraged to hold fundraising parties, buy a limited edition duck designed by Dame Judi Dench or give £2 a month. A new pink camouflage ribbon will also be available.

Breast cancer is the most common women’s cancer in the UK, with one in nine women developing the disease at some point in their lives, and Cancer Research UK’s work to beat the disease remains crucial.

Thanks to research, improved treatment and early detection, breast cancer death rates have fallen below 12,000 a year, for the first time in 40 years. Of those women diagnosed with breast cancer today, two-thirds are likely to survive for at least 20 years. Four out of five (80 per cent) of all cases of breast cancer occur in women aged 50 and over, but it is important for women of all ages to know what is normal for them and report any unusual changes without delay. Women who are 50 and over should attend screening when invited.

Cancer Research UK is the largest single funder of breast cancer research in the UK, spending around £44 million on groundbreaking work into the disease last year. Teams of researchers across the UK are dedicated to improving our understanding of the causes of breast cancer and investigating new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease.

Dr Lesley Walker, Cancer Research UK’s director of cancer information, said: “Cancer Research UK’s world class scientists and doctors have made a huge amount of progress in improving the detection and treatment of breast cancer, with more women surviving than ever before. We know that early detection is crucial and that many more lives could be saved if every woman was breast aware and attended screening when invited. But with almost 12,000 women still losing their lives to breast cancer each year, we need everyone’s help to raise vital funds to push forward with our life-saving research.”

Charity partners Peacocks, The Pampered Chef, Tesco and Mothercare will also be selling their own range of breast cancer awareness products, with a percentage of the sales going to Cancer Research UK. handbag.com is also partnering with Cancer Research UK again to launch another handbag amnesty.
For more information on Cancer Research UK’s breast cancer awareness campaign visit www.jointhefight.org.uk

For more information on the importance of detecting cancer early visit www.spotcancerearly.com

ENDS