Action Cancer Announces Breast Cancer Awareness Monthu202f
Action Cancer, Northern Ireland’s leading, local cancer charity,u202fhasu202funveiled itsu202fBreast Cancer Awareness Month campaign,u202ftaking place during October.
Ambassadors for the charity and partners gathered together at Malone House for a special celebration event.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer type among females in Northern Irelandu202faccounting for 30% of all cancer diagnoses among women. The latest statistics state thatu202f1,479u202fare diagnosed withu202fbreastu202fcancer andu202f310u202fdie from the disease every year.u202fu202f
Breast screeningu202fisu202ffor well women who have nou202fsigns or symptomsu202fand isu202fthe most effective tool for picking up cancers at an early and treatable stage.u202fu202fAction Cancer encourages women aged 50-70 to attend foru202froutineu202fscreening when called by the NHS. Action Cancer offers a uniqueu202fscreening programmeu202ffor women aged 40-49 and 70+ who reside in Northern Ireland. This free serviceu202fis not available anywhere else in the UK or Ireland.u202fu202f
Screening takes place at Action Cancer Houseu202fin Belfastu202fand on board the charity’s new Big Busu202f(supported by SuperValu and Centra)u202fwhich was recently officially launched by Gloria Hunniford OBE at Hillsborough Castle.u202fu202f
Joanna Currie,u202fConsultantu202fRadiographer at Action Cancer, said: “Our state-of-the-art 3D screening technology Digital Breast Tomosynthesis can locate cancers which are the size of a grain of rice. We detect 6 cancers for every 1,000 screenings, with the majority of women receiving reassurance.u202fu202f
“The service is currently experiencing unprecedented demand, with bookings at Action Cancer House full right up to Christmas.u202fAs screening is for well women,u202fwe need to schedule it ahead of time much like we do our hair and dental appointments. Keep an eye out for cancellations and new Big Bus bookings.u202fWe promise you, it will be worth the wait!”u202f
Action Cancer is calling on members of the public to back its ‘Breast Friends’ fundraising campaign, empowered by local online car insurance company Its4women. The campaign calls upon friends, family and loved ones to come togetheru202fin line withxa0Covid-19 restrictionsu202fand raise vital funds for Action Cancer’s breast screening service.
In 2019 Its4women made a pledge to match all public fundraising up to a value of £30,000 for three years, a total financial commitment of £90,000.u202fxa0
Kerry Beckett, Marketing Manager atxa0its4women.co.uk,xa0said: “Its4women and Action Cancer are about to enter the final year of a three-year partnership.u202fDespite thexa0Covid-19 pandemic limiting the amount ofu202ffundraisingu202factivityu202fthroughout 2020 and early 2021, Its4women stood by its financial commitment and to date Breast Friends has raised enough money to provide 1,000 breast screening appointments.
“I amu202furging as many people as possible to hold a Breast Friends fundraiser this October, so that Its4women can match the fundraising efforts and support more local women in the process.”u202fxa0
Fiona McQuillan, Pharmacist at Gordons Chemists, added:u202f“We are delighted once again to be supporting Action Cancer’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign. We are committed to raising funds in order for eligible women to be screened by Action Cancer. Throughout October our stores across Northern Ireland will turn pink to raise money and spread awareness of the key message that where breast cancer is concerned, early detection saves lives. A huge thank you to our customers and staff who will be supporting this fantastic cause!”u202f
Keep an eye on Action Cancer’s website:
u202fwww.actioncancer.orgu202f
foru202fupcoming Big Bus locationsu202fand a list of available appointments.u202fBook onlinexa0at:
u202fwww.actioncancer.org/appointmentsu202f
or by calling 028 9080 3344.u202fu202fxa0
Action Canceru202fis also encouraging women of all ages to be breast aware and to check themselves regularly.
Visit:u202fwww.actioncancer.orgu202fto access information on self-checking via a downloadableu202fZcardu202fon breast cancer.u202fIf you do have a cause for concern, please contact your GP who will refer you to a breast clinic for further assessment if required.u202fu202fxa0
If anyone is interested in organising a Breast Friends Fundraiser this October, please contact Leigh Osborne onxa007928 668543xa0
orxa0email: [email protected].xa0
For information on how to support via your local Gordons Chemist, please contact Lucy McCusker on:
