Breast Cancer awareness

During October up to 18 shops and beauty parlours located on the famous Southall Broadway from will be decorating their windows in the signature breast cancer Pink colour and handing out flyers and brochures to raise awareness of breast cancer.

Macmillan Cancer Relief BME Information and Outreach Officer based at the Ealing Primary Care Trust, Sudeshi Bedi, says: "There is a significant lack of breast cancer awareness in Londons Asian community and Macmillan is using Breast Cancer Awareness Month to lift the stigma on breast cancer, through this colourful initiative.

"It is vital we get the message out into the community to both men and women about early detection and to where to get the best advice. By highlighting key issues and making society more aware, we can save lives."

Research conducted by Macmillan Cancer Relief shows that 64 percent of women know someone affected by breast cancer, yet 35 percent are still unsure about it although they know what to look out for.

A new survey conducted by Breast Cancer Care also found alarmingly high figures showing that 43 percent women from Britain's black and minority ethnic communities (BMEs) are dramatically less likely to check their breasts for unusual changes than 11percent white British women.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women, with 41,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the United Kingdom and 300 cases in men.

Macmillan Cancer Relief has over 200 specially trained breast cancer nurses who care for patients with the disease and their families.

Although 80 percent of breast cancers occur in post-menopausal women, 8,200 cases a year occur in women under 50 who are likely to have younger children and so require additional support.

For cancer information and support, contact the Macmillan CancerLine (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm) by freephone: 0808 808 2020, textphone: 0808 808 0121 or email: cancerline@macmillan.org.uk; or log on to www.macmillan.org.uk.