Breast Cancer Awareness Month: More Than Hair, More Than a Diagnosis

Photo by Peter Boccia

Every October, the UK turns a little bit pink. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a moment to talk openly about a disease that touches almost every family in the country, to remind each other to check, and to raise money for the research and support that make a real difference.

As a wig supplier, we speak with people at one of the most vulnerable points of that journey. Hair loss during breast cancer treatment is about so much more than appearance. It can feel like the diagnosis is written on your head for everyone to see. So this month, we want to do two things: help spread awareness, and celebrate the strength of everyone we're lucky enough to support. And on Friday 23rd October it's Wear It Pink day, so we hope you'll join us in wearing pink to raise money for Breast Cancer Now.

Why this month matters

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the UK, with almost one in three new cancer diagnoses in women being breast cancer. According to Breast Cancer Now, a woman is diagnosed roughly every nine minutes, and a man roughly every day. It's something that can affect anyone, though the risk rises with age, and around 80% of cases are in women over 50.

There is real progress to celebrate too. Breast Cancer Now estimates that routine screening prevents around 1,300 deaths from breast cancer each year in the UK, and the charity's ambition is that by 2050, everyone diagnosed with breast cancer will live, and be supported to live well.

Know your body: touch, look, check

No one knows your body better than you do, so getting familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel is one of the simplest things you can do. Breast Cancer Now's advice is to look out for changes such as:

• A lump or thickening that feels different from the rest of the breast tissue
• A change in the size or shape of a breast
• Redness, a rash, or other changes to the skin or around the nipple
• Discharge from the nipple without squeezing
• Constant pain in the breast or armpit

Most changes turn out not to be cancer, but if you notice anything unusual, please see your GP. It's always better to get checked. And if you're invited for breast screening, please go.

When treatment affects your hair

Not everyone who has breast cancer treatment loses their hair, but for many people chemotherapy means they will. Everyone feels differently about it. Some people want to go bare or with scarves. Some want a wig that looks as much like their own hair as possible. Some want to try something completely new. There is no right answer, only the one that feels right for you.

If a wig is part of your plan, our team is here to take the pressure off. There's no rush, no judgement, and no "correct" way to do this. A few things that can help:

• Start early if you can. Many people find it reassuring to choose a wig before hair loss begins, so it can be matched to their natural colour and style.
• Ask about your options. Your care team can talk you through what to expect with hair loss during your particular treatment, and whether anything may help.
• Include someone you trust. Browse our range online together, or put us on speaker so a partner, friend or family member can join your call.

Celebrating our community

Every wig we send out has a story behind it. A first day back at work, a daughter's wedding, a long-awaited holiday, or simply the everyday relief of looking in the mirror and seeing yourself. To everyone who has trusted us to be part of that so far, thank you. You are the reason we do what we do. 💞

Photo by Ubaid E. Alyafizi 

Get involved

Wear It Pink takes place on Friday 23 October 2026. Breast Cancer Now's fundraising day invites schools, workplaces and communities to wear pink and donate, and the campaign has raised over £45 million for breast cancer research and care since it began in 2002. You can register for a free fundraising pack on the Breast Cancer Now website.

Support is out there

If you or someone you love has been affected by breast cancer, you don't have to go through it alone. Breast Cancer Now offers information and support through its website at breastcancernow.org, and your GP or breast care nurse can always point you towards local support.

And if you'd like to talk wigs, you can email us at sales@valentinewigs.co.uk or give us a call on 01453 624624. Our phone lines are open 11am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, and we're always happy to chat, with all the time and patience you need.

This October, let's check, support, and wear it pink together. #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #WearItPink