October is “Pink Month”, the time breast cancer goes under the spotlight. And with good reason. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, affecting 2.1 million each year around the world. In Hong Kong the disease is the most common cancer in women, with more than 4,000 new cases diagnosed every year, according to the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation (HKBCF). As of February, more than 23,000 breast cancer patients were registered with the HKBCF, covering almost 40 per cent of all local patients diagnosed each year. The foundation hopes to boost its registry numbers. Last week it proposed to the government the implementation of a universal breast-screening programme, targeting high-risk women, aged 40 or above, as well as those living in lower income districts such as Kwun Tong and Sham Shui Po, for regular breast checking. “By the time the underprivileged go to a doctor, most are already at stage two or a more advanced stage of breast cancer,” HKBCF chairman Eliza Fok Ho Yi-wah says, citing foundation data. Breast cancer stage is usually expressed as a number on a scale of zero to five, with stage 0 describing non-invasive cancers that remain within their original location and stage 5 describing invasive cancers that have spread outside the breast to other parts of the body. Here are four ways you can show support throughout the month. Breast cancer in Hong Kong: how self-examinations and ‘getting the damn mammogram’ can help save your life 1. Pink Together 2020, October The Covid-19 pandemic has forced the HKBCF to make changes to Pink Walk for Breast Health, its annual walkathon fundraiser. In light of social distancing measures, this year’s event, Pink Together 2020, is now an online fundraiser where participants can choose their own activities including walking, running, hiking and yoga, and upload their record to the event platform, pinktogether.hk/ . 2. October 5 to 23, Pink Yoga Challenge After surgery and radiation, many women experience painful and limiting lymphoedema – swelling from the removal of lymph nodes. Yoga helps to reduce pain, while improving range of motion and giving a sense of wellness. For this year’s yoga challenge, participants are asked to take a photo or video of their Double Boat Pose (recruit a partner or friend) and upload it to Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #YOGAFORPINK. The Yoga for Pink Event is hosted by The Hong Kong Cancer Fund https://www.cancer-fund.org/pink/en/ 3. October 10, cocktail masterclass by Antonio Lai Antonio Lai is a bit of a rock star in the city’s cocktail scene, the Hongkonger known as the pioneer of molecular mixology. On October 10, the Red Sugar bar at the Kerry Hotel in Kowloon will host a cocktail masterclass lead by Lai, where guests will be shown how to make four pink cocktails and pick up skills such as shaking, stirring and layering. Sixty per cent of the fee will be donated to HKBCF. HK$998 per guest. To register: 852 2252 5281; Email: redsugar.khhk@thekerryhotels.com . facebook.com/events/625401468145456/ Breast cancer survivor on folly of ‘Asian way’ of hiding illnesses after aunts failed to share own diagnoses 4. October 23, Dress Pink Day Show support for those affected by breast cancer by wearing pink, whether it’s at school, in the office or at home, if you’re social distancing.