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With October 1 marking the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Cancer Council is urging women throughout Australia to get together and raise awareness for women’s cancers by hosting a Girls’ Night In or a Pink Ribbon event.
Every day in Australia, 60 women are diagnosed with breast or a gynaecological cancer – these women are our mothers, our grandmas, daughters, sisters and friends.
Sadly, every day around 12 Australian women will die from a women's cancer.
The five-year survival rate for breast cancer increased by 17 per cent from 1982 to 2012, and the five-year survival rate for women with a gynaecological cancer increased by seven per cent in the same period.
This increase in survival rates for breast and gynaecological cancers is thanks to advancements in early detection and treatment due to research and prevention programs.
These programs are funded by Cancer Council fundraisers such as Girls’ Night In or Pink Ribbon events.
Events can range from a simple movie-night to a gala ball – no event is too big or too small, and funds raised support the ongoing development of prevention programs, support services and vital cancer research.
There is plenty of online support for hosts too.
For more tips or information, visit girlsnightin.
Breast and gynaecological cancers unfortunately touch many Australian lives in one form or another, either directly or through the experience of family and friends.
Hosting or attending a Girls’ Night In or a Pink Ribbon event isn’t only an opportunity to raise much-needed funds for women’s cancers; it can also raise much-needed awareness about early detection and cancer prevention.
Here are a couple of potentially life-saving conversation-starters that you might want to use at your event:
- Twenty two per cent of Australian girls turning 15 are not fully immunised against HPV. Girls aged 12-13 can take part in the school-based National Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Program.
- A staggering 46 per cent of eligible Australian women are not taking part in BreastScreen.
- Four in 10 eligible Australian women have not had a cervical screen in the past two years.
It’s important to remember that a third of cancers can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle choices and taking part in the recommended screening programs for your age group.
Cancer Council provides support services to anyone affected by cancer.
Please contact your local Cancer Council 13 11 20 to speak to experienced oncology nurses and other health professionals if you have any questions about cancer or need support.
