Empowering Change: The City Unites for Breast Cancer Awareness
Empowering Change: The City Unites for Breast Cancer Awareness with ‘Be Breast & Chest Aware: Make Self-Checks a Lifesaving Habit’
This October, the city comes together with the Lloyd’s Market for one of the largest city-wide health campaigns ever undertaken: ‘Be Breast & Chest Aware: Make Self-Checks a Lifesaving Habit’.
Powered by Thrive4Life, a leading corporate-facing health and wellbeing services provider, and fully supported by Lloyd’s Corporation, the Insurance Families Network, and a host of other forward-thinking city-based corporations, this campaign aims to raise awareness of the critical importance of self-checks, early detection, and timely action across London workplaces and beyond.
Why This Campaign Matters
Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers in the UK, with around 1 in 7 women diagnosed in their lifetime, and approximately 400 men are diagnosed each year. Around 30% of cases could be prevented through lifestyle choices and healthy habits, underscoring that proactive care saves lives and that participating in this city-wide effort truly makes a difference.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is not just about fundraising or research; it’s about prevention, early detection, and prompt treatment. Evidence shows that these three pillars together have saved nearly 200,000 lives in the UK since the late 1980s, underlining the life-changing impact of awareness, knowledge and early detection.
“Around 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime — making regular self-checks a vital habit.”
Spotlight on Our Exceptional Sponsors
Thrive4Life is proud to recognise the outstanding contributions of our 20+ corporate sponsors, who are actively shaping a culture of health, awareness, and proactive wellbeing across London workplaces:
- Allianz
- Antares
- Apollo Underwriting
- Arch
- Aspen
- AXA XL
- AXIS
- Chubb
- CNA Hardy
- Dale Underwriting Partners
- GPM Development
- Harrison Holgate
- Insurance Families Network
- Liberty Specialty Markets
- Lloyd’s Corporation
- Lockton
- Newline Group
- Ryan Specialty
- SCOR
- Tysers
- Velonetic
The unwavering support of these city-based corporates sets a benchmark for corporate responsibility, demonstrating London’s commitment to raising awareness of critical health issues. By supporting Thrive4Life’s educational talks, webinars, awareness campaigns, 1:1 nurse-led sessions, and pop-up stands, these sponsors are making lifesaving education accessible to all while actively embedding health awareness into the very fabric of workplace culture.
Leading by Example: Corporate Responsibility in Action
Despite real improvements in workplace health and wellbeing over recent years, challenges still remain.
The CIPD’s 2025 Health and Wellbeing at Work report states that, overall, 75% of organisations are taking some action to improve employee health and wellbeing; however, over a third (37%) of those remain more reactive than proactive, only stepping in once employees have already gone off sick rather than building strong preventive strategies.
Of those organisations taking action, 75% include wellbeing initiatives that promote physical health, such as health promotions and preventive checks, while the remaining 25% still give little attention to these measures, leaving a significant gap in employee awareness and care.
This gap is reflected in breast cancer awareness, too. Research shows that more than 2 in 5 women (44%) are not checking their breasts regularly, and 1 in 10 have never checked at all. In fact, out of those who do check, 3 in 10 wouldn’t even feel confident noticing a change.
A lack of awareness or a missed self-check can delay diagnosis, highlighting just how critical early detection is, as shown by survival rates:
Survival rates by stage (for context)
- Stage 1: Almost 100% of women survive five years or more post-diagnosis.
- Stage 2: Around 90% survive five years or more.
- Stage 3: Just over 70% survive five years or more.
- Stage 4: Around 25% survive five years or more.
By supporting Thrive4Life’s ‘Be Breast & Chest Aware’ campaign, sponsors are helping to close this awareness gap, ensuring employees have the tools, guidance, and confidence to take charge of their health, build lifesaving self-check habits, and make a real difference in early detection and treatment outcomes.
What Our Sponsors Are Supporting
Thanks to their support, Thrive4Life is driving a comprehensive, multi-channel city-wide campaign that delivers measurable impact across the Lloyd’s market and beyond. Their support enables a comprehensive programme of events and resources, including:
In-Person Keynote Talk, followed by a free, light networking lunch
Leading London Consultant Breast Cancer Surgeon, Miss Joanna Franks, will draw on her extensive clinical experience and guide attendees through:
- The prevalence and science of breast cancer in men and women
- Why regular self-checks are critical for early detection
- Key signs and symptoms to watch for
- Modifiable risk factors
- The importance of prompt assessment and treatment.
A free, light networking lunch follows, providing attendees with a relaxed space to connect, discuss key takeaways or ideas, and reflect on their own health and wellbeing.
Limited seats available - book your spot for the in-person session now:
Book In-Person Talk (9 Oct)Streamed Live Webinar
For remote and global teams, the campaign continues with a live-streamed webinar led by Miss Joanna Franks. Employees who cannot attend in person will still benefit from expert guidance on breast self-checks, early detection, and proactive health habits.
- Recorded access available for three months ensures flexibility and ongoing reach.
- Sponsors are making it possible for teams across locations to join this lifesaving session.
Private, 1:1 Nurse-Led Breast Self-Check Education
To support the awareness of the importance of early detection of breast cancer, Thrive4Life is running specialist nurse-led breast self-check sessions at the Lloyd’s Wellbeing Centre, Lloyd’s building, EC3 and virtually for remote workers. These 1:1 sessions will empower staff to carry out breast self-checks confidently and competently, building a lifetime habit.
Thrive4Life has collaborated with expert nurses from the breast cancer awareness charity Future Dreams and the renowned King Edward VII’s Hospital to provide specialist guidance, equipping participants with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to take charge of their breast/chest health.
Each session includes:
- Pre-consultation health questionnaire.
- Private discussion on breast/chest health, self-check importance, and personal risk factors.
- Guidance on family history, screening, genetic testing and HRT where relevant.
- Practical instruction on how and when to perform self-checks.
- Advice on warning signs, symptoms, and next steps if abnormalities are found.
- Hands-on practice with silicone models simulating palpable and harder-to-detect lumps for confidence and technique.
All employers, whether they are sponsors or not, can purchase in-person and/or virtual 1:1 nurse-led education sessions from Thrive4Life for their employees, giving them access to this lifesaving education.
Book 1:1 Breast Self-Check SessionBe Part of the Change in 2026!
Our sponsors are proving that when businesses unite behind a cause, the impact is transformational. They are not just funding awareness, they are changing behaviours, saving lives, and redefining what corporate responsibility looks like.
If your organisation wants to lead the charge in health and wellbeing and stand alongside some of the city’s most respected names, Thrive4Life provides the platform, reach, and expertise to make it happen. Join us, alongside the city’s leading organisations, in driving a movement for healthier workplaces and communities, and be part of something truly transformative.
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