October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual international campaign organized by major breast cancer charities to increase awareness of the disease and raise funds for research into its cause, prevention and cure. Breast cancer can sadly affect everyone - are you doing going to do anything to help?

Events during the month include Breast Cancer 3 Day, a 60-mile fundraising walk, over 3 days, taking place in cities around the world to raise money for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. France shows its support with the 5km Breast Cancer Race/Walk. In addition, Estée Lauder Companies have arranged for more than a dozen world-famous landmarks to be illuminated in pink light to draw attention to the importance of mammography screening for the early diagnosis of the cancer. The soon-to-be fuchsia landmarks include the French Affiliate Building in Paris and the Majestic Hotel in Cannes.

Despite the fact that October is highlighted as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, France has started early. On 13 September, the 13th annual La Parisienne saw 17,396 women register and run around the city in support of the cause. And the October issue of Marie Claire magazine, now on news stands, features topless photos of ten famous women, baring all to raise awareness.

In Cannes, the Boulevard Carnot hosted the Courses Odyssea on 20 September. The town welcomed a sea of 14,000 pink participants flowing alongside the Mediterranean to raise funds and awareness. And the Acropolis Palais de Congrès in Nice is currently hosting an International health conference. The event brings together international breast cancer specialists and features personal presentations from a variety of women who have conquered the disease.

Besides the events mentioned above, there are many ways to get involved and show your support, in some small way, for the fight to eradicate breast cancer within our lifetime.

Pink Fridays
This initiative originated in the UK. Pink Friday gives women across Europe the chance to plan their own Friday night fundraising parties. Whether you choose to wear pink clothes to work, have a bake sale with all pink goodies or even host a dress-up party at your home, it's a way for anyone to raise money and give a little pink to the cause.

Pink Pampering
Get your friends together for a night of pampering - all in support of the cause. Charity Against Breast Cancer wants women to hold their own 'Lookin' Good' nights. Visit the website for a fundraising pack and goodie bags, then invite your girlfriends around for a fun night in.

Paint The Town Pink
The Breast Cancer Campaign wants to turn your town pink. Last year the Isle of Wight became the Isle of Pink, with local tourist attractions, firms and ordinary folk putting together pink-themed fundraisers. Visit the website and organize a pink-wash of your town.

Pink Cooking
KitchenAid continues its work with the Susan B. Komen Foundation to ensure that every recipe and every meal goes towards finding a cure for breast cancer. Visit Cook for the Cure and purchase a pink product in October to donate directly to the cause.

Nicole Kidman, patron of Cancer Research UK's breast cancer awareness campaign, says: she is "honoured to support Cancer Research UK's 'Join the Fight for Women's Survival' awareness campaign. As someone whose family has been personally affected by the disease, I can't stress enough how important it is that women get to know and understand what is normal for their body."

This feature is dedicated to Tracey Sykes who sadly lost her battle with breast cancer earlier this year. Tracey spent much of her time raising funds for various breast cancer charities, in the hope that a cure will soon be found for this awful illness. Tracey left behind her husband Lee and two young children, Sam and Maddie and is very much missed by us all. x

Read Sophie's story Anyone who is suffering or has been touched by breast cancer should read the story of our great mate, Sophie Delaney who continues to be an inspiration to us all in her brave quest to continue living a full & active life. READ MORE