M&S raises awareness for breast cancer prevention

British department store group Marks & Spencer has teamed up with a team of seven inspirational women to encourage female customers to remain active to help prevent breast cancer as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Women who are active for at least 30 minutes a day cut their risk of developing breast cancer by at least 20 percent, according to charity Breast Cancer Now, which is why M&S is encouraging customers to show support for Breast Cancer Now by becoming more physically active. The campaign marks the second year running M&S has partnered with the charity to help raise awareness for breast cancer.

In addition to raising awareness for breast cancer, M&S will be donating 10 per cent of all its women's wear fitness apparel and sports bra sales to the charity. To help showcase M&S's activewear, the high street retailer has teamed up with 7 women - Amanda Jones (74), Fiona Coaton (30), Lindsay Partridge (52), Miranda Ashitey (34), Sarah Falola (44), Sera Bains (45) and Mandie Stevenson (26) – all of whom have been affected by breast cancer.

The 7 women will also be sharing short videos via social media to further encourage the public to move together with M&S and take on a 7 Day Challenge, a pledge to be active for 30 minutes a day. "We want women to know how important it is to get active. Studies show that just 30 minutes of activity per day can help reduce your risk of getting breast cancer by at least 20 per cent," said Eluned Hughes of Breast Cancer Now.

"This can be something as simple as walking to work, gardening or taking the family out for a bike ride. Any activity that makes you warmer, breathe harder and makes your heart beat faster counts." M&S, Breast Cancer Now and Strictly Come Dancing 2006 winner Karen Hardy will kick start the campaign today with 'Move it in the Park' a free, one-off dance fitness class in Hyde Park.

Together M&S and Breast Cancer Now aim to raise 13 million pounds over the next five years to help prevent the 9,000 cases of breast cancer registered each year , by 2 025.

Photos:M&S and Breast Cancer Now campaign