Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on 1 Oct 2025

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a global campaign dedicated to increasing understanding of breast cancer, encouraging early detection, and raising funds for vital research and support services.                           

It’s also an important time for organisations and businesses to take stock of how they support the health and wellbeing of their teams.

At the RDA, our workplace wellbeing efforts are shaped by a simple belief: small actions can have a big impact. Breast Cancer Awareness Month offers a timely reminder of how we can show solidarity, raise awareness, and promote early detection, both inside and outside of the workplace.

What Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

First launched in 1985, Breast Cancer Awareness Month has grown into a powerful global movement. Led initially by the American Cancer Society and AstraZeneca, and symbolised by the pink ribbon (introduced in 1992), the campaign focuses on education, prevention, support, and fundraising.

The goals are simple but urgent:

• Educate people about symptoms and risks.
• Promote routine screenings and self-exams.
• Support those living with or affected by breast cancer.
• Fund life-saving research and services.

Why It Matters in the Workplace

One in seven women in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime – and while it is most common in women over 50, it can affect anyone, including men. The workplace is where many of us spend a significant portion of our lives, and it can be a critical space for awareness and support.

Employers can play a key role by:

• Encouraging open conversations around health.
• Providing information about screening services.
• Making space for fundraising and awareness initiatives.
• Being flexible and compassionate with those affected, directly or indirectly.

How You Can Get Involved

This October, consider taking part in one or more of the following activities to show your support:

Wear Pink
Dress in pink for a day, or even the whole month, to show support and spark conversations.

Donate
Support charities like Cancer Research UK, Breast Cancer Now, or your local breast cancer support organisations. Every contribution helps fund research, treatment, and care.

Share Your Story
Whether you’ve experienced breast cancer personally or supported someone who has, sharing your story can help reduce stigma, raise awareness, and offer hope.

Schedule a Screening
Early detection saves lives. Use October as a reminder to book a mammogram or encourage friends, family, and colleagues to do the same. If you manage teams, consider reminding staff of available health benefits or local screening services.

Let’s Make It Meaningful

At the RDA, we believe wellbeing in the workplace extends beyond physical safety or mental health support. It also means building awareness around preventable illnesses and fostering a culture where people feel empowered to take care of their health, and each other.

For more information on breast cancer, visit:

• Cancer Research UK – Breast Cancer
• NHS Breast Screening Programme
• Breast Cancer Now

Bee Seen, Get Screened – Supporting Cancer Screening in the Workplace

Bee Seen, Get Screened initiative, a Greater Manchester-wide campaign helping employers support cancer screening uptake in the workplace.

By taking the pledge, your organisation is committing to:

• Giving employees time off or flexible working conditions to attend cancer screening appointments.
• Supporting Answer Cancer in raising awareness about the screening programmes available to your staff.

It’s simple to get involved – just follow these 3 steps:

1. Tell your employees
2. Be loud, be proud!
3. Keep the conversation going

For more information including signing up to the pledge, assets and other materials click HERE

The content on our site is provided for general information only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Although we make reasonable efforts to update the information on our site, we make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content on our site is accurate, complete or up to date.