A leading Northern Ireland cancer charity, Action Cancer, has launched its annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) campaign to encourage eligible women to come forward for screening, in association with corporate supporters, Gordons Chemists, Menarys and Tempest.
Action Cancer is the only charity in the UK and Ireland to offer free breast screening to asymptomatic women aged 40 – 49 and over 70, those who fall outside the NHS screening age range (50 – 70). The free screening is on offer at Action Cancer House in Belfast and on board the charity’s Big Bus, supported by SuperValu NI and its independent retailers which travel to 225 locations throughout Northern Ireland every year.
[caption id="attachment_59169" align="alignleft" width="390"]
Joanna Currie, Action Cancer (centre) is joined by Fiona McQuillan, Gordons Chemists and Melissa Gormley, Menarys/Tempest, who are sponsoring Action Cancer’s 2015 Breast Cancer Awareness Month Campaign taking place this October. [/caption]
Approximately 1,270 women are diagnosed with and 300 die from breast cancer in Northern Ireland every year.
For every 1,000 women screened by Action Cancer, an average of six cancers are detected. The charity’s digital mammography equipment can detect cancer in its early stages when treatment can be more successful. The vast majority of women who come for screening will receive clear results and will be given peace of mind.
The BCAM campaign which has been supported by Gordons Chemists over the last eight years welcomes additional support for a second year running year from partners Menarys and Tempest, helping to spread the key message to target audiences that ‘early detection saves lives’.
Fiona McQuillan of Gordons Chemists said: “Our commitment to raising vital funds in order for eligible women to be screened is central to our involvement with breast cancer awareness month. To date we have already raised £182,726 enabling more than 2,284 women to receive lifesaving screening.
“Throughout October we are encouraging customers and staff to book their mammogram with Action Cancer and we will be holding a Breast Action Day on Friday 23 October, filled with pink activities to raise awareness and money throughout all our stores. With this year’s fundraising we are determined to hit the £200,000 mark!”
Marketing Manager from Menarys/Tempest, Melissa Gormley said; “We are once again delighted to be a part of this year’s breast cancer awareness month campaign. This is a cause close to the hearts of many of our customers and staff. We are committed to doing everything possible to emphasise how important being breast aware is. In September we supported the Big Bus at four of our stores which enabled 96 women to be screened and in October we will be fundraising in our stores throughout Northern Ireland.”
Joanna Currie, Action Cancer’s Consultant Radiographer added: “Our message of being breast aware and to self refer is reaching a wider audience every year. Last year Action Cancer screened a record 10,079 women and we detected 62 cancers. A big thank you to Gordons, Menarys and Tempest for promoting our life saving service, your contribution is invaluable.”
Women aged 40-49 and 70 plus can book their free breast screening appointment either online at:
www.actioncancer.org
or by calling 028 9080 3344.
]]>
