Today marks the start of Pinktober, Breast Cancer Awareness month. Each year, Standard Publications Ltd supports breast cancer awareness, just as we do with Movember – prostate cancer awareness month, which is marked throughout November.

Throughout the month of October, we will feature the pink ribbon on our front page masthead – just as a small reminder that there are women out there who are fighting for their lives, their families and the simple notion of watching their children grow up.

We do the same with November, as men around the world grown their moustaches (hence – Movember) to raise awareness about prostate cancer in men. Throughout this month, and the next, we will feature articles, interviews, life experiences and other writings to raise awareness about both cancers – both of which can be fatal.

While there are many other forms of cancer that steal lives and tear families apart, we make special emphasis on both of these because they are two diseases which predominantly affect our mothers, fathers, wives and husbands. They are two diseases which predominantly kill the older woman and the older man. Almost everyone reading this will have been affected by breast or prostate cancer. It might have been a father, mother, wife, husband, uncle, aunt, grandparent - and in the most sad cases – child.

It touches everyone and it can be fatal, altering the course of many people’s lives. We also do it because with a little more awareness, many lives can be saved. Let us stick to this month and breast cancer. Let us start by saying that each and every woman who qualifies, should take part in the national breast screening process. Breast cancers which are caught early always stand a better chance than those which are left late. Sometimes, it can even go down to a week. But mammograms do not always show up. Some women need ultrasounds, if their body tissue so requires. It is an additional expense, but what cost is life?

The health authorities have increased the information campaign about the disease – but it can never be enough. More and more literature must be available, and there needs to be more spots on television, radio and the internet. At the same time, women should do all they can to inform themselves about what to look for. Lumps are detectable to the hand and this is another issue which comes to the fore. This publication has never shied away from talking about the relationships between men and women and we will do the same in this leading article. We have said that women should examine themselves, but this does not mean that men do not have a role to play. We understand that not all relationships are the same, but men should be supportive and proactive. Men can also notice if something has changed in a woman’s breast – whether it be a lump or a shape change or a sore. Men also need to educate themselves to the symptoms, and for goodness sake, stop being prudes and speak up if something does not look or feel normal. Women should also consult their partners if they feel that something is not right. But above all, if there is any sign of soreness, tenderness, lumpiness, change of shape or contusions to the skin – go straight to a specialist. Far too many families are torn apart over other issues. Let us do all we can to prevent others from going down the same road when it can be prevented. Be aware of breast cancer.