Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness of this complex disease. Each year, individuals, businesses, and communities come together to show their support for the many people affected by breast cancer. This helps promote early detection, support those affected by the disease, and raise funds for research, prevention, and treatment. It serves as a reminder of the importance of regular breast examinations to detect breast cancer at an early, more treatable stage.

Our Commitment to Breast Cancer Awareness

Here at Tales to Inspire, we agreed that it was important to do our bit to raise awareness of Breast Cancer. So, with the help of our ambassadors, we sifted through our archives. They showcased some amazing women who have not only battled this complex disease, done incredible work on improving support and awareness, but have also incited inspiring personal growth and entrepreneurship as a result of their experiences.

Quick Facts About Breast Cancer

But first; some quick facts about breast cancer to highlight the importance of awareness this month.

• In the uk there are around 55,900 new breast cancer cases in the UK every year, thats more than 150 every day.
• Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, accounting for 15% of all new cancer cases.
• Breast cancer survival has doubled in the last 50 years in the UK due to early detection and treatment.

Rebecca Hartley: “illness can teach you lessons”

Rebecca Hartley is a mother, a businesswoman, a breast cancer survivor and ambassador. One evening, she sat up in bed to put her book down and felt a pulling in her chest. She checked her breasts and found a lump. Rebecca went for tests which came back positive for cancer. She reported to us in an interview that ‘her world fell apart’.

Rebecca told us that at first, she struggled to come to terms with her diagnosis. But then watched herself open up. She read and listened to information about her situation and took part in, reflection, holistic therapy and altered her diet. Rebecca said that this reflection also shed light upon which direction she wanted to take her life. Rebecca approached her boss, handed in her notice and started up and events company called ‘Saving Grace Events’. Rebecca’s company now facilitate countless events, including the socially distanced festival ‘Tatton Park Pop-up Festival’.

Heather Glover: “How diagnosis helped me start a business”

Heather Glover is also a mother, businesswoman and breast cancer survivor and ambassador. Heather was in the shower at the gym when she felt something poking through her breast. Initially she wasn’t too concerned but got it checked out anyway. She was diagnosed in July 2017. Heather had chemotherapy and eventually a double mastectomy.

Heather told us that she returned to work just two weeks before the pandemic began and was crushed when we had to go home and shield. But, like Rebecca this gave her time to reflect upon her journey.

She asked her friend to make her a flat bra for occasions when she wanted to feel good going out in an outfit. Upon putting it on Heather reported that she felt all the feelings of attractiveness and femininity flood back again. Heather then launched Skarlette Lingerie for women post-mastectomy. Skarlette Lingerie received such wonderful response that they are currently expanding to include swimwear and nightwear.

Inspiring Resilience and Entrepreneurship

At Tales to Inspire our ambassadors have taught us that a cancer diagnosis doesn’t have to be the defining factor in one’s life. Conversely what is imperative is taking care of oneself and living life to your fullest, whatever that fullness might look like. Our ambassadors also wished to raise awareness of the importance of regular checks of your breast tissue and consulting a GP if you think something is wrong. Rebecca and Heather both found their cancer by accident, but and it was diagnosis that enabled our ambassadors to start their incredible business.

Take Charge of Your Health

Charity Coppafeel has this simple guide for checking your breasts.

This article was written by Millie Davies on behalf of Tales to Inspire.

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