1–31 October · UK & worldwide

Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2026

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month — observed across the United Kingdom and worldwide. Go beyond the pink ribbon: join Screen One More and the 31-Day TLC Challenge to turn awareness into early detection and funded screening.

Join Screen One More Start the TLC Challenge

Every October

What is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) is an annual international health campaign held throughout October. In the United Kingdom it is marked with pink ribbons, fundraising, and NHS screening reminders. Hospitals, GP surgeries, workplaces and community groups across Britain run events throughout the month.

The campaign began in 1985 and is now one of the most widely recognised health observance months worldwide. Charities and NGOs fund research, support services and screening programmes — while Breast Cancer Charity focuses October on measurable impact abroad.

The pink ribbon — the international symbol since the early 1990s — represents hope and solidarity. Breast Cancer Charity focuses October on measurable impact: funding screenings for women who have never had access, while promoting the Touch–Look–Check habit at home.

NHS screening at a glance

England NHS invites women aged 50–71 for mammograms every three years.
Scotland, Wales & NI Similar three-year programmes from age 50 (upper age varies slightly by nation).
Global Many low-income regions lack routine screening — survival rates can fall below 40%. That is the gap Screen One More addresses.

Donate this October

£25 funds a complete breast cancer screening for a woman in a low-income community. This October, make one donation that genuinely saves a life.

Support Screen One More

Our October campaign

Screen One More

Screen One More is Breast Cancer Charity's flagship October campaign. The pledge is simple: during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, fund at least one complete screening (£25) for a woman in a community that has never had access to a mammogram.

October generates millions of pink-ribbon posts across Britain. Screen One More turns that attention into a concrete outcome — one more woman examined, one more chance to catch cancer early. You can join as an individual, a workplace team, or a community group.

Breast Cancer Charity is an initiative of World Aid Network. We are independent and not affiliated with other charities' branded October events.

Pledge Screen One More — £25

How to take part

Pledge one screening (£25) — or more if you can
Name your pledge on social media with #ScreenOneMore
Ask colleagues to match your pledge at work
Combine with a sponsored walk or pink-themed bake sale
Pair your donation with the 31-Day TLC Challenge below
Contact us to donate now while online giving opens soon

2026 dates:

Screen One More — 1–31 October 2026

Daily habit · October

31-Day TLC Challenge

Awareness only works if it changes behaviour. The 31-Day TLC Challenge builds a monthly breast awareness habit using Touch – Look – Check — the method promoted by the NHS.

Each day in October, take two minutes to check your breasts and share one fact about early detection. TLC does not replace mammograms, but it helps you notice changes between NHS screening appointments.

TLC self-examination guide

Touch – Look – Check

TTouch — feel for lumps or thickening across the breast and armpit

LLook — check for changes in size, shape or skin texture

CCheck — report anything new or unusual to your GP

Share your progress:

#31DayTLC · #BreastCancerAwareness · #ScreenOneMore

By the numbers

Breast cancer facts — UK & global

October awareness matters because the numbers affect families across Britain — and billions more without screening access.

56,000

UK diagnoses every year

85%

Five-year UK survival when caught early

2.3m

Global new cases in 2022 (WHO)

Below 40%

Survival in many low-income regions

Get Active This October

Breast Cancer Walks & Fundraising Events

Sponsored walks and community events are popular across the UK throughout October. Pair your activity with a Screen One More pledge so every mile funds real screening access.

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Organise a local walk

Gather friends, family or colleagues for a sponsored walk. A 5 km stroll can fund multiple screenings when paired with Screen One More.

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Join a community event

Hospitals and charities across the UK host walks, runs and awareness days in October. Check local listings near you.

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Count your steps

Set a daily step goal for October and ask sponsors to donate per mile — direct proceeds to fund screening abroad.

Walking for breast cancer? Direct your fundraising to where it's needed most.

Fund a breast cancer screening — £25

Frequently asked questions

Breast Cancer Awareness Month — common questions

When is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is every October — in the United Kingdom and worldwide. The campaign runs 1–31 October each year, with pink ribbons, fundraising events and NHS screening reminders across Britain.

Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month observed in the UK?

Yes. The UK marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month throughout October. Hospitals, GP surgeries, workplaces and community groups run pink-themed events and screening reminders. In England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the NHS Breast Screening Programme invites eligible women for mammograms on a three-year cycle from age 50.

What is Screen One More?

Screen One More is Breast Cancer Charity’s October campaign during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Supporters pledge to fund at least one complete breast cancer screening (£25) for a woman in a low-income community who has never been examined. Breast Cancer Charity is an initiative of World Aid Network and is not affiliated with other charities’ branded October events.

What is the 31-Day TLC Challenge?

The 31-Day TLC Challenge is a breast awareness habit for October using the Touch–Look–Check (TLC) method recommended by the NHS. Each day in October, check your breasts using TLC and share one fact about early detection. Full guide: breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-self-examination

How can I support breast cancer awareness in October?

Five high-impact actions: (1) Join Screen One More and fund a screening (£25). (2) Take the 31-Day TLC Challenge. (3) Share NHS screening and TLC guidance with friends and family. (4) Host a pink-themed fundraiser and direct proceeds to a cause you trust. (5) Attend routine NHS screening if you are eligible. Online giving at Breast Cancer Charity is opening soon; contact [email protected] or 020 4622 0003 to donate now.

What are the breast cancer statistics for October awareness?

In the UK, around 56,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and five-year survival is approximately 85%. Globally, the WHO recorded 2.3 million new cases in 2022. Early detection through NHS screening significantly improves outcomes in Britain; in low-income regions survival is often below 40% due to lack of access.

Across the UK

Breast Cancer Awareness Month across the UK

Find breast cancer awareness information, local NHS services and Screen One More fundraising ideas for your city or town.

This October · UK & worldwide

Go beyond awareness

October turns the world pink. Screen One More turns that attention into funded screening for women who have never had a mammogram. Join us this Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Join Screen One More