breast cancer awareness

About National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) is dedicated to increasing awareness of breast cancer issues, especially the importance of early detection. It works through a nationwide education campaign aimed at the general public, state and federal governments, health care professionals, employers, and women of all ages and ethnic groups.

Breast Cancer Care's press pack for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October 2006, is available to download from the foot of this page.

Evelyn Lauder

In 1993 Evelyn Lauder introduced Breast Cancer Awareness Month across the world. Since then October has been awash with pink ribbons, now a global symbol for breast cancer awareness.

Breast Cancer Care was the first breast cancer charity in the UK to get involved in Breast Cancer Awareness Month and through it has helped bring the subject of breast cancer to the forefront of people's minds and to the top of the health agenda in this country.

Supporting

Breast Cancer Care uses Breast Cancer Awareness Month as an opportunity to make people aware of the ways in which it helps those affected by breast cancer.

The charity also focuses a lot of its key fundraising activities around the month including events, corporate partnerships and the sale of pink-themed merchandise, including the pink ribbon pin badge.

Campaigning

Breast Cancer Awareness Month also provides a platform for Breast Cancer Care to push for better treatment and support for people affected by breast cancer through its high-profile Government-lobbying campaigns such as 80over50 (2003) and Same Difference (2005).

Fundraising

Breast Cancer Awareness Month sees a hive of activity from Breast Cancer Care's corporate supporters with many pink products on sale to raise money for the charity.

Long-standing partners include ASDA, with its highly successful Tickled Pink campaign and Boots which not only raises money but awareness through its Be Up Front campaign.

The charity is also lucky enough to have support from high profile brands including QVC, Dorothy Perkins, Swarovski and Interflora among others.