Kate writes a bi-weekly column for the Burton Mail. This column was originally featured in the 21st October print edition.
‘On Friday this week (20th October) we were encouraged to wear pink for ‘Wear It Pink’ fundraiser Day as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
I was joined by other parliamentarians in Westminster, to raise awareness of one of the UK’s biggest fundraising events for world-class breast cancer research and life-changing support. Every 10 minutes, someone in the UK hears the words “you have breast cancer”. It’s the most common cancer in women in the UK. Each year around 11,500 women and 85 men lose their lives to the disease.
Anyone can take part in wear it pink, whether at school, work or at home. All you need to do is wear something pink, or hold a pink themed event, and donate to the charity Breast Cancer Now. With every penny raised, fundraisers across the UK will be helping the charity achieve its vision that by 2050 everyone diagnosed with breast cancer lives.
In the West Midlands, it is estimated that 4,629 people are currently diagnosed with breast cancer. During Breast Cancer Now’s parliamentary event, I met with researchers from across the country showcasing their vital work in areas like diagnosis, treatment, and secondary breast cancer. It was encouraging to hear that locally we have an almost 10% higher than the national average number of women attending their first breast cancer screening. Evidence shows that women who don’t attend their first invite are less likely to do so in the future. However, there is still much further to go, and I would urge all women, whenever the invite comes, to get screened and live well.
I am proud to raise awareness of the impact of the disease locally, and to support charities like Breast Cancer Now for their research and patient support. Breast cancer affects so many people across the country, so I hope that everybody in Burton and Uttoxeter will get involved and support this very important cause.
