October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and provides an opportunity for us all to focus on breast cancer and its impact on those affected by the disease in our community.

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among Australian women (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer). Survival rates continue to improve in Australia with 89 out of every 100 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer now surviving five or more years beyond diagnosis.

It was discovered by Dr. Don McKenzie that dragon boat paddling is an ideal sport for breast cancer survivors, being a sport that involved strenuous, repetitive upper body exercise, which in turn helps reduce the effects of lymphedema. Not only that, it built general fitness and confidence. The camaraderie and social support network that comes with the sport were of great benefit also.

Breast cancer is a disease that has touched the lives of many in some shape or form. It knows no boundaries and does not discriminate. As a show of our support to build awareness that breast cancer (and dragon boating!) can affect anyone from all walks of life, CYSM Sea Dragons members will be posting up photos which symbolise that whilst we are unique individuals, we are all one community.

We invite all clubs and paddlers to join us in posting up a “paddle life” photo during the month of October. A photo of your paddle, together with an item which is characteristic of your life outside of paddling. Don’t forget to hashtag #paddlelife

Inspired by Cathy's iPhone wallpaper, here we have a collection of paddles from our awesome paddlers shot along with a few things that represent them and what it means to be a dragon boat paddler.

View the growing gallery

Credit to our friend Shirleen Ho from DSA - Dragon Sports Association in Sydney who picked this up and is running this campaign with us.

#paddlelife #breastcancerawarenessmonth #nbcf #ibcpc #dragonsabreast #DAfestival #cysmseadragons