Tom Brake MP and Breast Cancer Campaign 'Wear it Pink'

11.11.14am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 17th Oct 2006

Tom Brake MP 'Wears it Pink'

Tom Brake, Liberal Democrat MP for Carshalton and Wallington, joined other MPs last Thursday for Breast Cancer Campaign's 'wear it pink' photo call.

'This is a really important cause, and while this photo call is a lighthearted event, it's also an important way of raising awareness about this disease. It is important to realize that men as well as women are susceptible to this disease, and 'in 2005, it is estimated that men will account for 1,690 cases of breast cancer.'

Thanks to increased awareness, survival rates have greatly increased over the past few decades, but one in nine women in the UK will have breast cancer at some point in her life, and this year an estimated 502,000 women worldwide will die from breast cancer. Some of those deaths will be in my own constituency - in Greater London last year, over 4000 people were diagnosed with breast cancer, and almost 1500 died. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone over the age of 40 to regularly see their GP for a mammogram once a year.'

With his participation in the photo call, Tom hopes to encourage constituents to 'Wear it Pink' as well. It is the Breast Cancer Campaign's biggest and most successful fundraising event. This year, the event will take place on 27 October, when individuals, groups, co-workers and families are asked to wear something pink and donate £2 to the Campaign. Last year, 'Wear it Pink' involved almost 800,000 people in the UK and raised over £1.7 million to help the Campaign to continue researching the cure for breast cancer. To register for the event and receive your free fundraising pack, please call 0800 107 3104, or visit www.wearitpink.co.uk.

Tom Brake MP asks everyone 'Please join in this fundraising event, and on 27 October, donate £2 and Wear it Pink.'