About Breast Cancer Care

Breast Cancer Care supports more than half a million people, and takes over 15,500 calls each year to its helpline.

It provides services to women and men with breast cancer, and their partners, families and friends; those who fear they may have breast cancer or who have other breast health concerns; members of the general public; health professionals; and the media.

Specialist services are also available for women from minority communities, lesbian and bisexual women and deaf women.

Breast cancer facts:

• For women living up to 85 the risk of developing breast cancer in the UK is 1 in 9



• More than 39,500 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK

It is widely acknowledged that patients benefit from being well-informed and studies have shown that women who have access to psychological support will experience an improved quality of life, have fewer symptoms and fewer side effects of treatment. Breast Cancer Care aims to complement existing medical care.

Breast Cancer Care is a national charity covering the UK with a head office in London and regional offices for Scotland, Northern and Southern England.

Breast Cancer Care has been helping people affected by breast cancer for more than 26 years.

Our history

The following highlights document some events and milestones’ in Breast Cancer Care’s history.

1968
Betty Westgate diagnosed with breast cancer. At this time there was very little information or support available. Women (and their partners, families and friends) often had to cope with rush decisions about radical surgery, there was virtually no scope for discussion of alternative treatment options and real informed choice did not exist. Betty Westgate’s story is remarkable and inspiring. It demonstrates how one woman’s experience of breast cancer led her to setting up the Mastectomy Association, the forerunner of Breast Cancer Care.

1972
Betty founded the Cancer Education Voluntary Service.

1973
Betty set up the Mastectomy Association which she ran on a voluntary basis from her home from Dec 1973 until March 1981.

1987
The Association was renamed the Breast Care and Mastectomy Association of Great Britain (BCMA)

1989
The first Fashion Shows took place involving women with breast cancer as models.

1991
The helpline was given a dedicated telephone number.

1992
The first national training course for volunteers took place.

1994
The Association changed its name to Breast Cancer Care.

1995
October Breast Cancer Awareness month was launched.

1995
The Pink Ribbon appeal started in the UK.