Backing the pink cancer campaign

Figures given to The Argus by medical research organisation Breast Cancer Campaign have revealed the vast number of people now affected by the disease in the city.

The charity’s figures show that, on average, 191 women are diagnosed with the disease each year in Brighton and Hove alone.

A charity spokesman said the incidence rate in the city, at 129.66 per 100,000 people, is higher than the national average of 124.85.

The charity said 48 women living in the city die each year, with a mortality rate also higher than average at 26.62 per 100,000 people, compared with England’s overall rate of 24.20.

The Argus is backing the charity’s Wear It Pink crusade to fight the condition – by raising money and awareness as newspaper staff don pink garments on Friday.

Marking the end of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, people are being asked to add a splash of colour to their look wherever they are.

Michael Beard, editor of The Argus, said: “To hear nearly 200 women are being diagnosed in Brighton and Hove each year is shocking and to know that, on average, 48 die from the disease is a tragedy.

“The Argus is doing all it can to help charity Breast Cancer Campaign’s Wear It Pink event.

“Staff will put on their best pink clothes on Friday in solidarity with the campaign.

“And we are urging all our readers, and all your businesses to do the same to raise awareness and money for such an important cause.”

Usually about £2 million is raised annually for breast cancer research that saves and improves lives, giving women quicker diagnosis and more effective treatments. So far, £25 million has been raised since the launch of the campaign.

Danielle Atkinson, head of public fundraising at Breast Cancer Campaign, said: “We hope people across Sussex will continue to show their support for Breast Cancer Campaign by taking part in Wear It Pink on Friday.

“Breast cancer is still the most common cancer in the UK and, sadly, 12,000 women still die each year from the disease.”

Across the country, 50,000 women are diagnosed every year, with millions continuing to live with its long-term impact.

One Sussex breast cancer patient has proven how people can stand up to the disease.

Joanna Clarke wrote a blog about her experiences, which attracted global interest.

The Burgess Hill resident was 28 in 2012 when she discovered a lump and was diagnosed shortly after.

With no family history of the disease and receiving the diagnosis so young, Mrs Clarke admitted she was shocked by the news.

But Mrs Clarke was determined to stay positive throughout her treatment, which consisted of chemotherapy, two operations and radiotherapy.

Two weeks after her final session of radiotherapy in 2013 she married fiancé Robert.

When she was first diagnosed, Mrs Clarke turned to the internet for information and found there was very little that was directly relevant to her age group.

This inspired her to start her blog thelittlestjojo.blogspot.co.uk, which has since had thousands of page views from readers in at least 75 different countries.

When The Argus spoke to Mrs Clarke, she said: “I was completely stunned when I was diagnosed. I wanted to do the blog to help me document what was happening and it was cathartic for me, but I also thought it might help others.

“It seems to have struck a nerve and I have had messages from around the world from people saying how much it has helped and how it has inspired them.”

One year on Mrs Clarke is continuing treatment and has kept the blog going.

Last month Mrs Clarke posted an update on her blog which said: “I thought as part of the next stage of my blogging journey, it might be a good idea to keep a hair diary.

“Firstly so that I can track my hair growth progress, and secondly so that I might help other people in the same situation understand what stage they might be at by what time.”

She has posted a gallery of her hair growth over 23 months since 2012.

In June 2012 she posted an update which said: “I have breast cancer. Invasive ductal and lobular. Grade 3 (it’s aggressive and 3.2cm in size). An hour earlier the world was a completely different place.

“Now I have cancer. Rob rings my mum, his mum, my dad, my boss, his sister.

“I text people not knowing how to tell them the news.

“There are tears, disbelief, messages of support. I can’t believe this is happening.

“Everyone’s words are ‘We are going to beat this’. I am going to try my hardest but I can’t control what happens in my body.”

In July 2012 she said: “First day without steroids and so far so good.

“Went to hospital today for the ECG which was yet another boobs out session. To think before I was nervous about getting them out topless sunbathing on hols.”

And in June 2013 she said: “Today is my cancerversary. A year ago today my world crumbled when I was told the life changing words ‘I’m sorry to tell you that you have breast cancer’.

“As of today I’ve made it through chemo, two operations and radiotherapy. As I blow out my single candle, I’m proud to say I’ve beaten BC, that I have this blog with 37,300 page views from 70 countries and that I’ve met some truly amazing people.

“I will always be grateful to those of you who supported me through such a horrible time.”

Celebrities have joined the Wear It Pink campaign, which is now in its 13th year.

Zoe Hardman, TV presenter and Breast Cancer Campaign supporter, who is taking part in this year’s event, said: “There are lots of different ways in which you can get involved.

“The high street is full of so many great pink clothes and accessories at the moment, for men and women, making it easy for everyone to wear something pink and look stylish, while doing your bit for charity.”

BBC The One Show’s Alex Jones, Olympic medal winning swimmer Rebecca Adlington, Lauren Pope, from reality ITV series The Only Way Is Essex, presenter Kirstie Allsopp and singer Eliza Doolittle are also getting behind Friday’s appeal.

Alex Jones said: “Wear It Pink is a fabulous campaign to raise awareness for breast cancer research.

“With so many great pink outfits and accessories to buy on the high street it’s a chance to look good while raising vital funds for breast cancer.”

Kirstie Allsopp said: “It’s so easy to get involved in Wear It Pink.

“You can, like me, go all out with a fabulous pink dress or simply highlight your outfit with pink accessories and, men it’s easy for you too – pink socks or a tie always looks great.

“It’s all for such an amazing cause raising vital funds for essential work carried out by Breast Cancer Campaign.”

To sign up to support the campaign, visit www.wearitpink.org.