In May 2022 and a unique take on the charity mountain challenge, eight women from Lobular Breast Cancer UK (LBCUK) will be walking mountains in Scotland named after breasts.

Over five days, we will be trekking around the Mamores, meaning big breasts in Gaelic and completing our fundraiser with an assent of the Pap (Breast or nipple) of Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands.

All of the funds raised will ensure that we can provide much needed information, education and support about this distinct and under-studied disease, not simply to patients but also to GPs, nurses and other medical professionals.

Despite being the second most diagnosed form of breast cancer, there has been little research conducted on lobular. In addition, it behaves differently from the main type of breast cancer rarely forming a lump, making it harder to detect by self-examination or to be seen on scans. Consequently, it is often diagnosed at a more advanced stage with larger tumours. It can also spread to different areas of the body such as the ovaries, gastrointestional tract and even the eyes. If it does recur, it is more likely to do so 10 - 15 years after initial diagnosis.

With over 8,000 individuals, primarily women, receiving a lobular diagnosis in the UK each year, there is consequently a huge need for the work we do. Since we launched in September 2021, we have reached over 100,000 people with information about lobular breast cancer.

Included in the Walking our Mammaries group of women is author of the critically-acclaimed novel The Cancer Ladies' Running Club, Josie Lloyd (see image below). Josie is also LBCUK's first Patron and herself has had a lobular breast cancer diagnosis. The novel idea of walking breast named mountains really appealed as a different way to raise funds for this distinct disease.

I'm delighted to become the first patron of LBCUK", says Josie. "Having gone through Lobular myself, this charity is very close to my heart and I'm excited to become an active member of the team. I love walking and wanted to do something that got me actively involved with the organisation, not simply just a name on a website. Walking our Mammaries is such a unique take on the charity walking fundraiser and something that everyone can take part in

"We're delighted that Josie has agreed to both be our first Patron and to take part in our first official fundraising event", states LBCUK Chair, Claire Turner. "There are so many hills and mountains around the UK and the world called after breasts due to their shape, a spiritual connection with their local community or even myths around their ability to heal, from the famous Paps of Jura, the Mumbles off the Gower Peninsula, Nipple Peak in the Antarctic and Tetilla Peak in new Mexico. Even Manchester was originally called Mamucium, derived from Celtic meaning "breast-shaped hill".

There will be virtual opportunities for anyone who is interested in getting involved in walking their own Mammary challenge too. Anyone can sign up to go up their own Mammary hill or mountain near where they live from Shuttlingsloe in Cheshire to Whittenham Clumps in Oxfordshire, Twmbarlwm in South Wales or the Paps of Anu in Ireland. Further details will be announced in the New Year. To ensure to get information, interested individuals can sign up for LBCUK's latest news at https://lobularbreastcancer.org.uk/contact-us/