RESDIENTS are being urged to think pink this month to raise awareness of Breast Cancer.

The annual campaign which takes place every October shines a light on the disease which affects almost 60,000 people in the UK every year.

With someone being diagnosed with the condition every 10 minutes, the awareness campaign aims to put the fun in fundraising to help make a difference.

According to national charity Breast Cancer Care:

* One in eight women in the UK will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.

* Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the UK

* Nearly 12,000 people die from breast cancer in the UK every year

* More than eight out of 10 (85 per cent) people survive breast cancer beyond five years

* One in seven women aged 50-70 who attend routine mammograms never check their breasts for signs of cancer outside these appointments.

* Breast cancer also affects men, but it’s rare – around 340 men are diagnosed each year.

There are three main risk factors to take into consideration when thinking about breast cancer.

This may seem obvious to many but gender is a big risk - with women more likely to develop breast cancer but it's important to remember men can be diagnosed too.

Age is also a risk factor - more than 80 per cent of breast cancers occur in women over the age of 50 while most men who get breast cancer are over 60.

Significant family history is also something to consider.

It isn't common, but around five per cent of people diagnosed with breast cancer have inherited a faulty BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.

That's why on Friday, October 21, locals are being urged to play their part and get tickled pink.

According to Breast Cancer Now, the campaign has raised £28.9 million to date and the organisation is hoping that this year's event will be bigger and brighter than ever before.

The pink campaign is an east and fun way to show support and help fund world-class breast cancer researchers.

From bake sales to fancy dress events, there are a myriad of different ways to show your support for breast cancer organisations both nationally and locally.