Awareness Article: Breast Cancer Awareness Month October 2012

Once a month flawless kisses is going to be moving away from hair, beauty and the general light heartedness of the blog, to focus on raising awareness on specific issues that most probably will have affected some of you guys, either through personal experience or the experience of friends and family. I’ll be looking at an issue that affects a lot of us, be it directly or indirectly, and I’m hoping to raise awareness, inform and inspire you.
(Please feel free to email me at flawlesskisses@live.co.uk if there is a certain topic you would like me to address in the awareness articles in upcoming months)
This month, as its Breast Cancer Awareness, I’m going to be discussing the topic of breast cancer; how to examine yourself regularly, what to do if you have any concerns regarding your body, and how to support the charity itself.
Breast Cancer still remains the most common form of cancer in the UK.
A staggering 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and more than one thousand women a month still die from breast cancer.
These statistics are undoubtedly appalling and it becomes apparent how many people are affected by this and how affected friends and relatives of cancer patients are.
Looking at these figures, you can see how important it is that you check yourself regularly, as the early cancer is detected the more likely it can be treated successfully.

Examining You Breasts
It’s vital to examine yourself regularly and familiarise yourself with your breasts in order to recognise any changes or abnormalities.
What you need to look for:
• Lumps or thickening of the breast tissue
• Continuous pain in your breast or armpit
• One breast becoming significantly larger or lower than the other one
• Puckering or dimpling of the skin
• Swelling under the armpit or around the collarbone
• Developing a rash around your nipple area or producing discharge
• Nipples changing shape or position or becoming inverted
It’s important to note that not all lumps are cancerous and could be cysts or tissue overgrowth, but it’s still vital that you convey any concerns to your GP without any delay.
There are many ways to support this charity, either by making a monetary donation to Breast Cancer UK or by buying items that have been released for sale whereby the profits (or a percentage of the profits) will go the charity.
Various companies have partnered with Breast Cancer UK to produce such products. Below is a selection of things you can treat yourself to and help raise money for the charity at the same time.

These Ugg boots are gorgeous and a wonderful addition to any Ugg fanatics collection. They are £165 and can be bought from uggaustralia.co.uk

Gorgeous Bra & Brief set from Marks and Spencer’s £7.50

GHD have released their new Pink Cherry Blossom Limited Edition Styler. This can be bought at www.ghdhair.com for £129 and £5 from each styler will be donated to Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

This pin can be bought from Avon for £1.50 with 100% of the proceeds going to Breast Cancer Awareness.

This glitzy nail polish trio is available from orlybeauty.co.uk for £10.80 with 20% of proceeds going to support breast cancer research.

Alternatively to find out other ways to donate and support the charity please click this link below.
http://www.breastcancercampaign.org/support-us/donate
Please post comments below on your thoughts, what you’re doing to raise money, or any items you’ve bought where proceeds go to breast cancer charities, and don’t forget to check yourself regularly and take your health seriously.
If you haven’t already supported the charity in some way, please do as it’s such a good cause. Even a donation as small as £1, will make a big difference and help us to fight this dreadful disease together.
Hugs, Loves and Flawless Kisses
Xoxoxox
Disclaimer: none of the above images are ownedby myself