Wellbeing Wednesday: Sam's Story for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast cancer, the most common cancer in women, affects more than two million people every year.

Every October, people all over the world show their support for people affected by breast cancer, taking part in activities to raise awareness and money to support vital research.

In March 2019, Sam Ward, a HR Business Partner working on the UL NHS contract, was diagnosed with breast cancer and had three different treatments throughout the rest of the year. Out of choice, with the support from the Company and her colleagues, she remained in work for the majority of this time.

Now cancer free, Sam has agreed to share her story to raise money and awareness of the disease across Unipart, and to highlight the support available. As cancer will touch 1 in 2 of us throughout our lifetime, it's very likely you already know someone at home or at work, who is going through, or has been through, a similar experience. 

You can find out more about how to support a colleague during cancer treatment through Lifeworks here.

Early detection and diagnosis are the key when it comes to cancer, so both men and women are advised to check their breasts and see their GP if they notice anything unusual. 

As breast cancer is more common in women, they should ideally do a self-examination once a month to familiarize themselves with how their breasts normally look and feel. 

Possible signs and symptoms of breast cancer can include:

• a lump in the breast
• thickening of the skin or tissue of the breast, or dimpling of the skin of the breast
• a lump or swelling in either armpit
• a change in the shape or size of the breast, such as swelling in all or part of the breast
• a nipple turning in (inverted nipple)
• a rash (like eczema) on the nipple
• discharge or bleeding from the nipple
• pain or discomfort in the breast that does not go away, but this is rare.

Further information on Breast Cancer and other types of Cancer on the can be found on the Macmillan website. You can also make a donation to support them to continue to fund the physical, financial and emotional support they provide, such as the breast care nurses that supported Sam. 

On Friday 23rd October we are asking all Unipart colleagues to wear something pink, and make a donation to raise money for further research and life-changing support for people living with this disease.

Why? Because breast cancer is still here and it's affecting women in our families, friendship groups and our work colleagues on a heartbreaking scale.

Please visit our fundraising page to make your donation to support other women like Sam

There are two posters at the bottom of this article you can use to advertise Wear it Pink in your work areas (if working on site).

Don't forget to share your pictures of you and your team in pink on Spark! 

Unipart's Employee Assistance Provider called LifeWorks, has a wide range of resources that can help to support you, and up to five members of your family, with a variety of health and wellbeing topics. This may be an issue at work, or at home. 

If you are struggling with anything covered in this story, you can get free, confidential support from independent caring counsellors 24/7, via the phone number on 0800 169 1920 or through unipart.lifeworks.com or the LifeWorks mobile app. 

If you don't already have a login, find out more about how to sign up here.

Links to related Lifeworks articles 

• Information Breast cancer awareness month
• Understanding breast cancer and treatment options
• Supporting a colleague who is working during cancer treatment
• Talking with people you love about your chronic condition