Where does my breast cancer donation go?

What does a donation fund?

Breast Cancer Charity is a campaign of World Aid Network. It funds the practical steps between noticing a breast change and being treated, in communities where those steps are hard to reach:

• Breast awareness sessions led by local health educators.
• Screening: a clinical breast examination by a trained health worker, with an ultrasound scan where it is needed.
• Diagnosis: a core needle biopsy and the laboratory report that confirms what a lump is.
• Treatment access: hormone therapy support, and help with the hospital, transport and follow-up costs of surgery.

Sources: Breast Cancer Charity: about us; Breast Cancer Charity: how we estimate the cost of a screening

Does my gift pay for one named woman?

No. The amounts we publish show what a gift of that size could fund. Donations are pooled and used where the need is greatest, because the cost of a screening or a biopsy differs between partners and places. We do not match a donor to a named patient.

Source: Breast Cancer Charity: how we estimate the cost of a screening

How are the costs worked out?

Each amount is a programme unit cost in partner health settings, not a UK price. £25 covers a clinical breast examination, an ultrasound scan where needed, health education and a share of the outreach costs of reaching women. A private mammogram in the UK costs several times more, and NHS breast screening is free for those who are eligible. Our method page sets out what each amount includes, and the same figures are published as open data.

Source: Breast Cancer Charity: how we estimate the cost of a screening

What does a donation not fund?

• Laboratory research into new treatments.
• A helpline or nursing service in the UK.
• NHS screening, which is free for people who are eligible.

If one of these is what you want to support, a research charity or a UK support charity is the better choice.

Source: Breast Cancer Charity: about us

How can I check what has been delivered?

We publish our impact figures on the Your Impact page and as a data file. They start at zero and only change when a partner report is published, so we do not show running totals based on estimates. Charity Commission registration for World Aid Network is in progress (application 5290505). Until it completes, Breast Cancer Charity is not yet a registered charity and has no published accounts to point you to. If that matters to your decision, it is reasonable to wait, or to ask us a question first.

Sources: Breast Cancer Charity: what your donation funds; Breast Cancer Charity: registration status