Breast Cancer Now

“My mother in-law, Grace, died of secondary breast cancer in 2004. I had known her since I was 15 years old. Grace felt like another mother to me.

“Watching her go through her journey with cancer was incredibly difficult. After Grace passed away, I decided I wanted to support a breast cancer charity that focused on research, which at the time was Breast Cancer Campaign.

“During that time, I was working for a pharmaceutical company and having seen first-hand how research made such a huge difference to many different diseases, I wanted to ensure that any fundraising we did supported working towards a cure and had a research element.

“When I turned 50, I decided to revive singing karaoke around the London Marathon and the Great North Run. During some of those karaoke London Marathons I was so energised that I felt I could run another marathon after crossing the finish line.

“One of my fondest memories of the karaoke London Marathons was running in 2024 with my daughter, Kirsty. It was such an enjoyable end to my karaoke marathon career. Being able to spend that time with my daughter made it very special.

“Other memorable moments include, being interviewed on Tower Bridge by celebrities and athletes such as Denise Lewis, Ore Oduba, Colin Jackson, and Radzi Chinyanganya. It was good to be able to get Breast Cancer Now mentioned on national TV.

“This year I managed to go viral (over 1 million views) on TikTok. It was so heart-warming seeing all the lovely comments of encouragement people had left on the video in support of what I was doing for Breast Cancer Now.

“One of my favourite things about running karaoke marathons is the look on people’s faces when they realise that I am running AND singing at the same time! There’s always a great reaction from the crowd, and I like to stop occasionally to chat to them to raise awareness of Breast Cancer Now.

“Now, I’m hanging up my microphone. Running a karaoke marathon is getting harder as I get older, and I want to stop while I can still sing at a running pace.

“I am now focusing on other ways to fundraise through music (piano and karaoke) in local venues. My wife Lorraine and I also host an annual ball which is very successful and can raise as much as £15,000 in 1 evening.

“The fundraising total has now gone over £130,000.

“Making the fundraising events fun and different keeps people engaged and willing to donate their time and money. The auction of promises at the annual ball is the biggest fundraiser and that would not happen without our friends and the wider community.

“Since starting our fundraising journey, we have found that many people in our local community have been affected by breast cancer. That’s why we think it is so important to continue what we do; to ensure that we can find new treatments which will help people diagnosed with breast cancer.

“If I had a fundraising tip for anyone would be to make it fun and make it different. Find something you’re good at, that not a lot of people are good at, take it and run with it.” - Graham

Graham recently won the Fundraiser Award from BBC Radio Kent, Make A Difference Awards for all his hard work and efforts for his Breast Cancer Now fundraising! Graham is one of our many amazing supporters committed to raising money for breast cancer research and support services. You too can help make a difference by raising money to support people affected by breast cancer.

Why not sign up to your free fundraising pack and get started?

https://breastcancernow.org/get-involved/do-your-own-fundraising/request-your-fundraising-pack/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fundraising&utm_content=011024grahamlondonmarathon

Clinical trial update 🚨

The INAVO120 study, led by one of our scientists, has revealed the benefits of a powerful 'triplet therapy' for aggressive secondary breast cancer.

This phase III clinical trial, funded by Roche, was testing a combination of 3 drugs to treat hormone receptor (HR) positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer with an altered PIK3CA gene. This is a common type of breast cancer.

The triplet therapy consisted of:

1. Palbociclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor drug
2. Fulvestrant, a hormone therapy drug
3. Inavolisib, a new PI3K inhibitor drug

Results showed that this drug combination delayed the disease progressing by an average of 15 months. In comparison, a control group given just palbociclib and fulvestrant saw disease progression halted for an average of 7.3 months.

The treatment was generally well tolerated, with only a few patients experiencing side effects that caused them to stop the treatment.

The team, based at The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, hope the results will lead to the licencing of inavolisib. And that this triplet therapy becomes the standard of care.

Read more about this discovery on our website.

https://breastcancernow.org/about-us/research-news/new-triplet-therapy-doubles-progression-free-survival-in-advanced-breast-cancer/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=research&utm_content=311024nickturnerresearch

“In August 2021 I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at age 43.

“As a mum with young children and a full-time job, it came as a complete shock. I had noticed a lump in the shower a week before. When I saw the consultant, I was told with 80% certainty that it was cancer. A week later it was confirmed as cancer and a further week later I got married.

“Treatment followed which was chemotherapy, 2 lumpectomies, more chemotherapy, radiotherapy and exercise management.

“Once treatment finished, I had several scares within the first 6 months that the cancer had returned. My treatment finished just before Christmas 2022 and then I was given exercise medicine. I’ll never forget the parting words of the personal trainer at the hospital: ‘Keep moving!’.

“I had a few months before I was due back at work and my mind craved peace and quiet. I found solace on my bike. Once a week, my husband would come out for a long ride with me.

“I attended the Moving Forward courses and Younger Women together and found them very helpful. It was lovely to speak to similar people.

“I saw Ride the Night on the Breast Cancer Now website and entered as motivation to exercise and to distract myself from thoughts of recurrence. I loved it and as soon as it was over, I wanted another challenge.

“I felt like I might be a proper cyclist if I could complete London to Brighton. So I asked a friend to join me, and we signed up. Raising money for Breast Cancer Now was great but the main advantage was the distraction to my mind of what if the cancer returned.

“Training was tough but enjoyable. I didn’t follow a set plan; I just went out on my bike as much as I could. To start with I couldn’t cycle for more than a few miles without stopping but my fitness improved, and I could keep going although I was still pretty slow.

“Having recently finished cancer treatment, fundraising was easy. I asked a few friends to sponsor me to start me off and then social media took over and quickly the money came in. I’m doing Walk the Walk this year and fundraising is much more challenging.

“My top fundraising tip - personalise the story and make the most of social media!

“Looking back on the challenge I’m proud I did it. At the time I felt a bit deflated. I perhaps wasn’t as rested as I could have been, and I found the ride very hard at times. I was over-critical of myself. But looking back I see the positives in the day. And I still love dreaming that this is the start of more bike riding adventures for me.

“To anyone thinking of entering London to Brighton, just do it! It’s a completely achievable distance in a day and Breast Cancer Now is such a great cause. The research and support they provide is invaluable.

“Who knows where a 1-day mini adventure might lead to next?” - Lucy

You can help make a difference like Lucy. Put on your bike helmet and get cycling! Sign up to the London to Brighton Bike Ride 2025 and help raise money to support people affected by breast cancer.

https://breastcancernow.org/get-involved/fundraising-events/cycling-events/london-to-brighton-bike-ride-2025/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fundraising&utm_content=271024lucybikeride

Can our gut bacteria help us treat breast cancer?

Dr Stephen Robinson’s team at Quadram Institute Bioscience are investigating how gut bacteria may help when it comes to treating breast cancer. For this, they’re collecting poo samples from women diagnosed with oestrogen receptor positive (ER-positive) breast cancer.

The team are analysing and comparing the bacteria found in samples taken at diagnosis, during and after treatment. The hope is that they find a microbiome 'signature' that predicts response to treatment or how likely the cancer is to come back. In addition, they're testing how different bacterial compositions in the gut affects the immune system.

This research will deepen our understanding of the role of gut bacteria play in breast cancer. And it could help us develop new treatment strategies that use gut bacteria to activate the immune system.

“When we were told the cancer was incurable, I sat down with [my sister Teri] and she held my hand and said ‘It’s your turn to look after the family’.

“Teri was just always the person that was there for everybody. When I was growing up, I was like ‘I want to be like my big sister’.

“I just really hope that I make her proud every day. I miss her.

“I self-check every single time I’m in the shower. If something doesn’t feel right, I flag it.” - Janine

Janine’s sister Teri died in 2021 after receiving a diagnosis of secondary breast cancer.

Janine is sharing her sister’s experience in support of ghd’s annual pink campaign - which has raised over $24 million for breast cancer charities all over the world, including us, in the last 21 years.

ghd aim to raise awareness of the importance of self-checking to know your normal and look out for the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. For every limited-edition pink product sold, we receive a £10 donation

Find out more about the pink campaign

https://www.ghdhair.com/pink-collection-c

Many people find it difficult to take hormone therapy. But for black women, this vital treatment can present even more challenges.

We know that around 40% of people forget to take their hormone therapy, and around 10% deliberately miss, skip, or change doses. But this percentage tends to be higher in black women.

Dr Lyndsay Hughes at King's College London is working to understand the experiences of black women taking this medication.

This project aims to understand when black women take their medication and how weekends, holidays and other events may impact this. They’re also looking to understand how their culture influences their experiences and expectations of hormone therapy.

This insight will help our researchers to understand why black women may find it harder to take hormone therapy. And it’ll help them produce educational materials for healthcare professionals, patients and support groups, so they can tailor their support for black women.

Ultimately, this project is about making breast cancer care more inclusive.

https://breastcancernow.org/our-research/research-centres-and-projects/individual-research-projects/understanding-the-experiences-of-black-women-taking-hormone-therapy/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=research&utm_content=231024lyndsayhughes

“The same year my mum was diagnosed, her friend was also diagnosed with breast cancer. Unfortunately, her story was very different, and she passed away in 2021.

“When my mum was diagnosed in 2017, I wanted to find ways to help. The only thing I could do to help was to be there for her. But I needed to do more.

“This led me to raising money for charity as a way of helping mum and other people affected by breast cancer.

“I’ve worked at Buckmore Park since 2017. While working here I found my passion for Go Karting. This also helped me cope with everything that was going on.

“Over the years of working at Buckmore, I saw many charity events being held and successfully raising lots of money.

“In 2021, my mum suggested to me about doing a charity event at work for Breast Cancer Now. 2 days later, I booked the event and Race for Others started.

“I tried to tie the event into Breast Cancer Awareness Month. With this in mind, I had the idea to ask everyone attending to wear something pink.

“I managed to sell the event out in a week. 70 people attended the event, all wearing something pink. I was amazed to see how well the event went and the fun people were having with it. From the event alone, I raised £2,707 for Breast Cancer Now.

“Since then, I’ve held the event every year. Each year the event has grown in numbers and in ideas. Even the costumes have got better and better.

“Money is mainly raised by people buying forfeits for each other during the race. This includes things like; throwing ice cold water over someone, push ups, dancing with stuff, star jumps and running a lap round the pitlane.

“To raise awareness during the event about breast cancer, symptoms are used as team names, for example: ‘tough titties’, ‘pain in the nip’, ‘inverted nip’, and ‘swelling in the pit’.

“Over the last 3 years I’ve raised £15,072 for Breast Cancer Now.

“My goal is to make Race for Others a well-known event. To make it bigger and better every year and to raise as much money and awareness as possible.

“Without charities such as Breast Cancer Now, my mum might not still be here today. So, for that I will be forever grateful and will never be able to do enough to thank them. But I hope that by raising money I can do my part to help other people, just like my mum.” -Megan

You can do some amazing fundraising like Megan. Why not fundraise during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and help support people affected by breast cancer? Sign up to your free fundraising pack and get started. Every pound you raise will help support life-changing breast cancer research and support services.

https://breastcancernow.org/get-involved/do-your-own-fundraising/request-your-fundraising-pack?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fundraising&utm_content=191024megan

More than a thousand patients with advanced breast cancer are being denied a drug that can keep them alive for longer.

“It's deeply unjust that patients are caught in a stand-off between NICE and the pharma companies” - our chief executive
Claire Rowney

Enhertu: Breast cancer patients denied life-extending drug in NHS row Jeannie Ambrose, one of about 1,000 affected patients, says the drug should be made available on the NHS

That’s a wrap! A HUGE thank you to everyone who took part in wear it pink 2024 🎀

Didn’t have time to take part today? It’s not too late to make a difference for people affected by breast cancer.

Donate today using the link below. Every penny drives us closer to our goal – that by 2050, everyone diagnosed with breast cancer will live, and be supported to live well.

https://secure.breastcancernow.org/appeal/wearitpink/ #/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fundraising&utm_content=181024wipday

“My sister and I were both tested for the BRCA gene, but it came back negative.

“The hospital told us that there probably was a genetic connection, but so far, research hadn’t been able to establish one. Nikki had a double mastectomy straight to reconstruction because of the family history. Once my chemo had finished, I too had a double mastectomy. I am still flat now, but I hope to have a reconstruction in the future.

“I’m the proud wearer of 2 knitted knockers! I had a total response to the chemo and I’m now nearly 2 years disease free.

“My family's support was incredible.

“I joined a local Facebook support group and that’s where I heard about the Breast Cancer Now’s monthly chemo threads [on the forum]. I was due to have my first round of chemotherapy at the end of January 2021, so I joined both the January and February starters. I really gelled with some ladies from the January group. I also used the Someone Like Me service at Breast Cancer Now to ask about options on reconstruction.

“I’m so grateful to anyone who has helped fundraise for research into cancer treatments as I’ve now experienced first-hand how important this is. If I can do anything to raise awareness of Breast Cancer Now, I’ll do it.

“One piece of advice about hosting a wear it pink event would be to have fun. What you’re doing is so important and will have a long-lasting effect on people. Make it memorable, have a laugh, and raise those valuable pennies.” - Michelle, one of our incredible supporters

Michelle was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. Both of her sisters were also diagnosed. Sadly, her eldest sister Tracey died of secondary breast cancer in 2016. Her younger sister, Nikki, was diagnosed while Michelle was in treatment.

to raise money and awareness for people affected by breast cancer💗

https://breastcancernow.org/wear-it-pink?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fundraising&utm_content=181024michelle

“My life took a somewhat dramatic turn a month after I turned 40.

“In June 2022, I found a lump in my right breast, incidentally after drying myself from having a shower. I was never one of those people who regularly checked my breasts for changes, so I guess this day I was meant to find the lump!

“It was only a small lump but it was sore. I phoned the GP straightaway on the Friday I found it - they made an appointment for me on the Monday.

“After seeing the GP, I was referred straight to my local breast clinic and I was seen the following week, where they did a mammogram and ultrasound.

“After having the biopsies, the lump seemed to get bigger. Laying in the bath looking down at this impostor in my breast and all the bruising, I was just so scared. My mind was playing tricks on me, over-thinking became overwhelming as the waiting phase for results is mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting. It felt like a lifetime waiting, but the results came and I was just completely in shock when they said I had breast cancer.

“My life completely changed that day and I know that a lot of people will know what I mean when I say I live a very different life now and that this is something that is very hard to adjust to.

“I don't have the confidence I used to have and most days I struggle to even look in the mirror. But I am hoping that with the continued help and support from various sources this will improve in time

“Meeting Ian 1 month into starting my chemo treatment was a blessing, he has been my rock, my soulmate and my best friend since. We get married in November this year. There is always happiness when life seems so dark. Thank you for always being supportive. I love you # # #

“I am forever grateful to the NHS for being looked after so quickly and promptly as the story could have been very different for me, so thank you.” – Jo

Anyone can get breast cancer. Get to know your normal by checking your breasts.
✅ Touch your breasts
✅ Look for changes
✅ Check anything new or unusual with a GP
There’s no right way to check. Just make sure you do it regularly.

https://breastcancernow.org/tlc?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=services&utm_content=161024jo

“If you feel anything unusual, get it checked… if I'd left it longer, I might not be sitting here now.”

"I jog a lot and was wearing one of these nylon jogging shirts and on one particular day it was rubbing against my ni**le and I was suddenly in excruciating pain. I couldn't see anything untoward but thought I'd better get it checked."

Harry, a 74-year-old retired police officer, shares his unexpected journey with breast cancer as part of the Asda Tickled Pink campaign. A chance discovery while jogging led to his diagnosis, and now he’s on a mission to raise awareness among men.

Harry emphasizes the importance of regular self-checks no matter your gender, and acting quickly if something feels off. He believes men should be as vigilant about checking their breasts as they are with other parts of their health. Early detection can make all the difference.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Asda Tickled Pink is on a mission to make checking your b***s, pecs or chest as regular as your Asda shop.

Remember to check your chest regularly and see a GP if you notice a change.

“I couldn’t believe I had cancer at 32

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998. For some time, I had been aware of a pea-sized lump in my right breast but, being only 32 years old, I didn’t think it was anything to worry about so I ignored it for several months. I happened to casually mention it to my husband who insisted that I get it checked out.

“I felt like I was being carried along in a whirlwind, just going through the motions of what needed to be done to survive.

“I had a vague awareness of yoga at the time and knew that it could rebalance the body and calm the mind, so I decided to try a class at my local gym. Those 90 minutes on my mat were my lifeline in the months following my treatment.

“Yoga rehabilitated me. It made my whole body strong. It stretched the tight areas around the scar tissue and mobilised my right arm and shoulder. It focused and calmed my mind away from anxious thoughts and began to work at a deeper level.

“Being diagnosed with breast cancer and having treatment can cause anxiety and leave you feeling imbalanced, both physically and mentally. It’s important to look after your emotional wellbeing and yoga is a great way to take some time focus on yourself.” - Marcia

It’s now 26 years since her diagnosis, and Marcia is a yoga teacher with specialist training in yoga for people with a cancer diagnosis. Yoga was a lifeline for her after treatment, and she’s passionate about how it can help others.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Marcia is releasing videos designed to help with side effects both physically and mentally.

Marcia has shared poses and sequences designed to support you through treatment 👇

https://breastcancernow.org/about-us/news-personal-stories/marcia-s-five-yoga-poses-support-you-through-treatment/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fundraising&utm_content=141024marcia

Most breast cancers don’t come back after treatment. But sometimes they can return, so it’s important you know what signs and symptoms to look out for.

This Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day, discover the possible signs of secondary (metastatic) breast cancer.

And tell your breast care nurse or GP if you have any symptoms that are new, don’t have an obvious cause and don’t go away.

https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/signs-and-symptoms-of-secondary-breast-cancer/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=services&utm_content=131024secondarysigns

Secondary (metastatic) breast cancer occurs when breast cancer cells spread from the breast to other parts of the body.

Ahead of Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day tomorrow, take a look discover more about what secondary breast cancer is.

https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/secondary-breast-cancer/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=services&utm_content=121024secondary

It’s important to get used to looking at and feeling your breasts regularly. And Breast Cancer Awareness Month is the perfect time to start. It’s all about finding a time and place that suits you.

So we’ve put together some typical moments you could think about checking.

📣 Share this in your group chats! Drop it in the DMs! Open up the conversation about breast checking with your friends and family.

Remember, if you notice a new or unusual change, it’s important to contact your GP as soon as possible.

https://breastcancernow.org/tlc?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tlc&utm_content=121024tlcmoments

“Having this little baby at home drove me through the radiotherapy, because I knew I needed to get better for her. But it didn’t take away the tiredness, nausea and terrible side-effects of treatment though. I had 2 of life’s biggest challenges converge on me at the same time. [My husband] Martin and I were all over the place.

“It just felt so unfair after everything we’d been through - from getting married in the middle of chemo, to the IVF treatment failing, and then conceiving our miracle baby naturally only to be told I had breast cancer again. It’s unbelievable.

“I had a very tough time after the first diagnosis. I hadn’t come to terms with what had happened, and it all reached a crisis point when they called me back to the hospital one day.

“A consultant told me I didn’t have the BRCA gene and I burst out crying. Obviously, that’s not the usual reaction, so I was referred to talking therapy which helped me so much.

“That inspired me to become a volunteer for Someone Like Me – because I realised I could help others going through the same thing.

“When you’ve had breast cancer or are going through treatment, it’s so valuable to have someone who truly understands.” - Charlotte

After 11 years of volunteering for Someone Like Me, Charlotte has helped 35 people through phone calls and emails.

Our Someone Like Me service is fully funded by a donation of more than £300,000 from Primark who’ve launched their 'We're with you' Breast Cancer Awareness campaign this month.

And don’t forget, you can donate to us in all UK Primark stores until the end of the weekend! Find out more about how Primark are supporting us

https://corporate.primark.com/en-gb/a/news/corporate-news/primark-launches-biggest-ever-breast-cancer-awareness-collection-and-donates-over-1-million-to-cancer-charities

“When l was 45 l noticed my ni**le was becoming inverted.

“I watched it for a while, and then went to have it checked out. I had lost my mum to breast cancer after she found a lump when she was 40 years old.

“So, it was no real surprise to me that they found precancerous cells in my left breast, but the good news was they had caught it early. ‘It’s not going anywhere, it’s not got legs’ they told me, and l felt immediately reassured.

“Within 2 months they had operated on me. A double mastectomy, as l didn’t want to take any risks, with an immediate reconstruction.

“I felt sick, emotional, sore and very uncomfortable for the next few weeks after the surgery, but most of all l felt lucky. Lucky to have caught the cancer so early. Lucky to have my life extended. Lucky to be with my 9 year old daughter and husband. Lucky to be with my friends and family. Lucky to be alive.

“I thought a lot about my mum over those 2 months that summer and how very brave she was. How sad that she hadn’t had my luck. 30 years ago, treatment was so very different - who knows what might’ve happened if she’d had it now. I still miss her every day. I am so very thankful to the NHS and their incredible care and l feel lucky every day.” – Sal

Anyone can get breast cancer. Get to know your normal by checking your breasts.

Touch your breasts

Look for changes

Check anything new or unusual with a GP

There’s no right way to check. Just make sure you do it regularly.

https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/touch-look-check/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tlc&utm_content=101024saltlc

“We want to improve survival for people with triple negative breast cancer. We’re exploring a new combination therapy that could make chemotherapy more effective, and improve outcomes for people with this type of breast cancer.” - Professor Richard Clarkson

Researchers think that resistance to chemotherapy comes from a special type of tumour cell, called the breast cancer stem cell.

Richard and his team believe that a protein called cFLIP helps these cancer cells resist chemotherapy. And that it could work in 2 ways – helping breast cancer stem cells stay alive, and helping them hide from the immune system.

The team hope that by blocking cFLIP, they can make breast cancer cells sensitive to chemotherapy again. They'll test a drug they’ve made to block cFLIP on breast cancer cells grown in the lab and in mice. They’ll also use it in combination with various chemotherapies to see which one would work best.

Finding ways to make triple negative breast cancer more sensitive to chemotherapy Professor Richard Clarkson is working to understand how triple negative breast cancer becomes resistant to chemotherapies. Find out more.

"Young women need to know this can happen to them.

"I've been going through cancer for 10 years now, so my message is not to ignore it if you find something. I found a lump and ignored it for about 8 months before I went to the doctors.

“I had no choice but to have a mastectomy and start chemotherapy and I wish I had just gone to the doctors when I found it originally.” - Shantelle

Shantelle’s keen to raise awareness of breast cancer among young women as part of the Asda Tickled Pink campaign.

After initially ignoring a lump, Shantelle was diagnosed with breast cancer at 28. 10 years later, she is now living with incurable secondary breast cancer.

Shantelle's urging others not to wait if they find something unusual. Her journey is a powerful reminder that cancer doesn’t discriminate by age. She's supporting the Tickled Pink campaign to ensure young women know the importance of early detection.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Asda Tickled Pink is on a mission to make checking your b***s, pecs or chest as regular as your Asda shop.

Remember to check your chest regularly and see a GP if you notice a change.