MOST of us will have personal experience of breast cancer.

Either we have battled it ourselves or know someone who has and this month – Breast Cancer Awareness Month – we could all do our bit to support the cause and continue the fight against this devastating disease, whether it is by purchasing products supporting the cause, or getting involved in events to boost funds and raise the profile.

According to Breakthrough Breast Cancer, secondary breast cancer, known as metastatic breast cancer kills 1,000 women each month in the UK alone yet, worryingly, more than half of the Yorkshire population don’t know what the disease is according to a survey by the charity.

The YouGov survey coincides with the launch of Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s new vision to Stop Breast Cancer For Good, which centres on a stronger focus into the causes of and treatments for secondary breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, with around 50,000 women receiving the diagnosis each year – that is approximately one woman every ten minutes.

However, survey results show that more than half of the population do not know this.

Around 23 per cent believe it to be prostate cancer, 13 per cent bowel cancer, nine per cent lung cancer, five per cent leukaemia and eight per cent are unsure.

Results also showed that, out of 145 respondents, more than a third think just 7,000 or fewer UK women die from breast cancer each year, yet 12,000 lose the fight each year.

Chris Askew, Breakthrough Breast Cancer CEO, said: “As a breast cancer charity which focuses on research and campaigning, we have known for a long time how serious this disease is and the level of work that needs to be done to stop breast cancer for good.

“It is worrying however that the public is unaware of how serious breast cancer really is.

“In order for us to put an end it and ensure that we stop the disease from taking the lives of our mothers, wives, daughters and sisters, it’s crucial that we rally as much support as possible.

“There is so much more to be done in order to stop breast cancer for good, and we’re finally at a point in our work where we can almost see the finishing line. “This doesn’t have to be a disease that kills, however without more support, more awareness, more funding and more research, breast cancer will continue to be one of the UK’s biggest killers.”

The Haven in Leeds has been supporting breast cancer patients since it was launched in October 2008 by its celebrity supporter, Bradford’s Kimberley Walsh.

To raise awareness of its work, and to help raise the profile of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the First Direct Arena in Leeds recently illuminated the city’s skyline pink and displayed a chain of more than 100 bras donated by the public and the national lingerie retailer Bravissimo.

Debra Horsman, manager of The Haven in Yorkshire, said: “It’s so exciting to get such an iconic Yorkshire landmark changing colour for The Haven.

“We really want to use this Breast Cancer Awareness Month to make sure everyone across Yorkshire knows that we’re here and what we offer.

“The Haven in Yorkshire is just that, a haven for anyone affected by breast cancer to come and receive support – whether through complementary therapies such as acupuncture, yoga, or aromatherapy, or emotional, financial, or nutritional counselling.

“We want anyone going through breast cancer, either personally or otherwise, to come in and see us.

“And, throughout this Breast Cancer Awareness month, we need lots of fundraising support to keep up our work!”

The Haven wants to raise awareness of its three centres in Leeds, London and Hereford, with a new Haven in Wessex opening next year.

For details visit thehaven.org.uk