BASINGSTOKE'S Festival Place will join more than 50 UK landmarks in a national campaign to mark Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day.

On Friday, October 13, sites across the country will illuminate in the pink, purple and teal colours of Make 2nds Count, the cancer charity behind the campaign, which aims to shine a light on secondary breast cancer.

Festival Place will unite with venues including Blackpool Tower, Camera Obscura in Edinburgh and Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre in helping to raise awareness of a disease that, according to the charity, is often overlooked during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

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Also known as metastatic breast cancer, secondary breast cancer is a form of the disease that has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. 

An estimated 61,000 people in the UK are currently living with the disease, which claims 1,000 lives each month.

A recent survey by Make 2nds Count of over 100 patients found that 62 per cent struggled to find adequate information and support following their diagnosis, while 95 per cent said there was a need for more support for patients and their families following diagnosis.

The survey also found that seven out of 10 respondents revealed the side effects of treatment had an even greater impact on their quality of life than expected.

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Throughout October, Festival Place will also light up in the colours of other charities to help raise awareness of the work they do.

From Monday, October 9 to Sunday, October 15, the shopping centre’s cinema tower will be illuminated in pink and blue to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week, while on Friday, October 20 it will light up in purple for Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder.

The tower will again be lit purple on Wednesday, October 25 to help raise awareness of Postural Tachycardia Syndrome.

Emily Palmer, Festival Place’s marketing manager, said: “We are always happy to show our support for vital charity work done locally and nationally.

“Lighting our iconic tower up in the different shades chosen by each charity is a great way to help spread the word.”