How to Support Your Girls

The leading local cancer charity is asking women to hold a fun girls’ night in to raise money for breast cancer support for younger women in Northern Ireland.

The campaign will also highlight signs and symptoms of the disease and stress the importance of checking your breasts regularly.

Cool FM radio presenter Rebecca McKinney is the charity’s ambassador for the campaign and appears on Cancer Focus NI billboards, adshels and on video.

Rosie Forsythe, Community Fundraising Manager, Cancer Focus NI, said: “One in ten women in Northern Ireland are diagnosed with breast cancer, which is a huge number – it could be your mum, your sister, your wife, your granny, or your friend.

“We know that there is a great need for more support among younger women who have breast cancer. With the money raised from the girls’ night in events, we plan to facilitate and fund a unique new six week service that will give them a chance to speak to experts on a wide range of topics such as infertility and sexual relationships as well as to meet others in a similar situation.

“The young women we are helping are at a stage in their lives where they may be considering big life changes, such as marriage and starting a family. A breast cancer diagnosis can dramatically change all their hopes and plans for the future. That is why we’re asking you to have a girls’ night in and raise money to help us provide the support they need.

“We’re asking women everywhere to get involved by hosting a girls’ night in for a few friends to raise vital funds. Do whatever you and your friends enjoy doing – and ask for a donation to Cancer Focus NI. It could be a film night, a pyjama party, pizza treats, makeovers, the list is endless. It’s a great reason to have a good time with the girls!”

Rebecca said: “This is an excellent awareness campaign as well as a fundraiser for an extremely important cause and I’m so proud to be an ambassador.

“Before getting involved in this campaign I didn’t check my breasts but I’ve since learned how crucial it is for early detection. Women need to check their breasts regularly to get to ‘know their normal’. We need to keep an eye out for anything we feel is not quite right – some of the signs include lumps or bumps, puckered skin, thickening, a rash, oozing or crusting.

“Now is the right time for a new campaign to remind women to pay attention to any changes in their breasts, know how to spot the signs of breast cancer and to see their doctor straight away if they have any concerns. One tip is to set a monthly reminder on your phone.”

Not sure how to check your breasts or what to look out for? Cancer Focus NI has a short video to explain what you need to look out for on its website and social media channels. You can find out more about the Support Your Girls campaign and the signs and symptoms on the charity’s website, www.cancerfocusni.org/girls.

Don’t forget to share your girls’ night in with us on social media.