We are taking part in #WearItPink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and many of us have either been affected by breast cancer, or know someone who has. According to Breast Cancer UK, “in 2020, 11.7% of all cancers diagnosed were female breast cancer, making it the most common cancer worldwide.”  In addition, “there are around 56,000 new cases of breast cancer every year, that’s over 150 cases every day.” (Average per annum, based on 2016-2018 data).

This is why raising awareness is so important, so that research can continue, and to provide support to those who need it most. #WearItPink encourages people to wear pink in order to fundraise for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast Cancer Statistics

In order to understand why awareness and fundraising activities for Breast Cancer are vital, we need to look at the facts:

• In England in 2019, breast cancer became the most common cancer, accounting for 30% of all cancers
• Based on 2016-2018 data, 18% of breast cancers were in women under 50 and 82% in those 50 or older
• 2019 figures from England found that the rate of breast cancer in women has doubled over the past 50 years
• Around 15-20% of men and women with breast cancer will have a family history of the disease
• Based on 2017-2019 data, breast cancer was found to be the 4th most common cause of cancer death, and the 2nd most common cause of any death in women
• As of the end of 2020, there were 7.8 million women alive who were diagnosed with breast cancer over the past 5 years

The Pandemic Impact

Covid-19 meant that there was a 44% decrease in the number of women (45 and over) who were screened for breast cancer in 2020-21 (1.19 million), compared to 2019-20 (2.12 million). Due to social distancing rules and reduced medical services, less women were screened for breast cancer by almost 50%. It is important that we raise awareness about the importance of screening now more than ever. As well as how to self-check, symptoms to look out for, and risk factors.

The Kara team #WearItPink

This week, our team took part in Wear It Pink. An initiative by Breast Cancer Now to raise money for the cause. We came to the office wearing something pink, with an array of baked goods to sell. Each sale went towards our donation, which was then kindly matched by our company. Take a look at what we got up to!

 

If you wear scrubs to work, why not wear pink scrubs?

For those of you who wear scrubs to work, whether medical or dental, veterinary or beauty, you can get involved. #WearItPink with some brand new pink Kara scrubs. Take a look at some of our favourites so you can wear pink for breast cancer awareness.

 

Breast Cancer Now

We at Kara want to say a massive thank you to Breast Cancer Now for providing accessible and simple resources to allow us to carry out our fundraising activities. If you are looking to learn more about Breast Cancer Awareness Month, or perhaps want to make a donation, you can visit their website here.