Queensland: Get the girls together now, to keep the girls together later!
It’s October, the month Cancer Council Queensland is calling on all women to unite in pink by hosting a Girls’ Night In fundraiser to beat women’s cancers – while putting the spotlight on their own health.
Thanks to events like Cancer Council Queensland’s Girls’ Night In, women are being reminded to think about their health and the ways they can reduce their cancer risk and detect cancer early.
Hundreds of Queensland women have already registered to host a Girls’ Night In, in celebration of pink month, helping to raise vital funds to support the one in six Queensland women who will be diagnosed with breast or gynaecological cancer in their lifetime.
Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Katie Clift encouraged all women to get the girls together for a Girls’ Night In, talk about health and show support for other women impacted by cancer.
“This year alone, around 3900 Queensland women will be diagnosed with breast or gynaecological cancer and around 800 will die from these women’s cancers,” Ms Clift said.
“The good news is that you can take simple measures to reduce your overall cancer risk.
“This month provides a great opportunity to reach out to your loved ones – ask about their health, encourage them to get screened, lend a helping hand or be a listening ear.
“Simply get the girls together for a fun night in and donate what you would normally spend on a night out – your contribution will support women impacted by cancer through funding Cancer
Council Queensland’s vital work in women’s cancer research, education and patient support services.”
This year Cancer Council Queensland aims to raise $2.35 million through Pink Ribbon Day and Pink Ribbon Fundraising events including Girls’ Night In.
Unite in pink this October – buy pink, register to host a Girls’ Night In or Pink Ribbon Fundraiser, donate or volunteer on Pink Ribbon Day, Monday October 27.
More information is available via pinkribbon.com.au or 1300 65 65 85.
More information about Cancer Council Queensland is available via cancerqld.org.au or 13 11 20.
There are easy steps all women can take to help reduce our cancer risk by joining the QUEST to:
- Quit smoking
- Understand your body and get checked
- Eat healthily and drink less alcohol
- Stay SunSmart every day
- Take time to be active
To help detect cancer early, be aware of what is normal for you and report any changes to a GP immediately. Look for:
- Lumps, sores or ulcers that don’t heal.
- Unusual changes in your breasts – lumps, thickening, unusual discharge, nipples that suddenly turn inwards, changes in shape, colour or unusual pain.
- Coughs that don’t go away, show blood, or a hoarseness that hangs around.
- Weight loss that can’t be explained.
- Any loss of blood, even a few spots between periods or after they stop.
- Moles that have changed shape, size or colour, or an inflamed skin sore that hasn’t healed.
- Blood in a bowel motion.
- Persistent changes in toilet habits.
- Persistent abdominal pain or bloating.
To support the whole community to reduce their cancer risk, get your workplace, school, early childhood centre or sporting club to sign up to Cancer Council Queensland’s free healthy lifestyle program for organisations – QUEST – and help make the healthy the easy choice. Find out more at quest.org.au.
For interviews, please contact:
Katie Clift, Executive Manager, Media and Spokesperson, Cancer Council Queensland
P: (07) 3634 5372 M. 0409 001 171
For more information, please contact:
Kim Ryan, Team Leader, Media, Cancer Council Queensland
P: (07) 3634 5239