During Pinktober, Montessori Academy actively promotes breast cancer awareness and fundraising through student and staff activities. 

As a predominantly female company, breast cancer is a highly relevant issue, affecting one in eight women by the age of 85. 

To educate students about the importance of breast cancer awareness, children decorated pink cupcakes, learned about human anatomy, and explored why the colour pink is used to highlight women’s health issues.

Staff at each centre hosted their own morning tea events and shared their personal experiences with breast cancer. 

Peggy Tu, an educator from Macquarie Park Montessori Academy, described her experiences: “At the age of 22, I was diagnosed with a Phyllodes Tumour. 

“The tumor continued to grow, and after six surgeries, I had a mastectomy at the age of 30. 

“I urge all women to regularly check their breasts. Early detection is the best prevention,” she said.

Throughout Pinktober, Montessori Academy raised more than $1,000 through morning tea events and parent donations. All funds will go towards research with the ultimate goal of eliminating breast cancer deaths by 2030.

Donate Now

Please donate to help fund research in prevention, detection, new and improved treatment, and better quality of life: https://fundraise.nbcf.org.au/fundraisers/montessori-academy-pink-ribbon-week-2020/

How to Perform a Breast Self-Exam

The National Breast Cancer Foundation recommends a monthly breast self-exam for any irregularities such as lumps. Forty percent of diagnosed breast cancers are initially detected by a self-exam.

In the shower:

  1. Place your right hand behind your head
  2. Use your left hand to check your right breast. 
  3. Use your middle three fingers to apply pressure starting from your armpit and going around your breast looking for lumps.

Infront of a mirror:

  1. Look at your breasts in the mirror with your hands by your side.
  2. Raise your arms above your head.
  3. Look for any changes to the skin or nipple.
  4. Next, place your hands on your hips and flex your chest muscles.
  5. Look for any dimpling, puckering, or changes, particularly on one side.

Lying down:

  1. When you lie down, your breast tissue is evenly distributed along the chest wall.
  2. Place a pillow under your right shoulder, with your right arm under your head.
  3. Using the left hand move the tips of your fingers around your right breast gently covering the entire breast area and armpit. Use light, medium, and firm pressures.
  4. Squeeze your nipple, checking for discharge or lumps.
  5. Repeat for the other breast.

What to do if you find a lump: 

Contact your local GP and book an appointment. 

Breast Cancer Resources 

https://www.breastcancer.org/

https://www.bcna.org.au/

https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/

https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/