On Friday 23 October, staff at Leicester’s Hospitals are invited to ‘Wear it Pink’ to raise money for the Breast Care Centre and promote national Breast Cancer Awareness month.

The Breast Care Centre at Glenfield Hospital, which opened in 1999, brings together the specialist staff required to provide breast care services across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

As part of Breast Cancer Awareness month, staff are encouraged to wear something pink, whether an item of clothing or just an accessory, and donate a pound.

All money raised will go into the Breast Care Butterfly Appeal through Leicester Hospitals Charity, to fund improvements to the department.

Amanda Gibby, General Manager for Breast Imaging at Leicester’s Hospitals, said:

“Our Wear it Pink day on Friday [23 Oct] is a fantastic opportunity for staff to raise some money so we can improve the environment and care for our patients.”

Breast cancer is the leading cancer killer among women aged 20–59 years worldwide. Between August 2014 and July 2015, 6,800 women attended the Breast Care Centre at Glenfield concerned about symptoms. Not all symptoms are a result of breast cancer.

In 2014, approximately 800 women in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland were diagnosed with breast cancer.

The NHS Breast Screening Programme provides screening every three years for all women in the UK aged 50-70 and saves hundreds of lives.

For Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland the breast screening programme invites approximately 160,000 women to attend a screening every three years.

For further information about the Breast Care Centre, visit: http://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/departments-services/breast-care/breast-care-centre/