Players from Gloucester Rugby and Gloucester-Hartpury have joined forces to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in a new awareness campaign in partnership with Breast Cancer UK.

Gloucester Rugby's Cam Jordan and James Venter, and Gloucester-Hartpury's Millie Hyett and Sisilia Tuipulotu, take centre stage with a bold, eye-catching message designed to start a conversation around breast health.

Set against a pink backdrop - a colour globally recognised for breast cancer awareness - the players, dressed in their lilac away kits, can be seen posing with rugby balls arranged to symbolise breasts.

With breast cancer rates rising among younger women - particularly those aged 25-49, where cases have increased by 17% since the early 1990s - the digital campaign highlights the importance of early detection and regular self-checks in younger people.

The visuals draw attention to the key signs to look out for, as outlined by Breast Cancer UK, to encourage awareness and reduce stigma around breast health.

Breast Cancer UK reports that around 56,000 women and 400 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, with 96% of cases in women occurring over the age of 40. Despite this, younger women are increasingly affected, making awareness and education more important than ever.

One in seven women in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. The most crucial step is learning what looks and feels normal for you, so you can identify when something feels different.

The campaign helps promote what to look for, including:

• Lumps in the chest, breast or armpit

• Changes in shape or size

• Redness, rashes, dimpling or texture changes

• Nipple changes or unusual discharge

• Persistent pain

As part of the initiative, BiGDUG, the main sponsor of Gloucester Rugby and Gloucester-Hartpury, has partnered with Breast Cancer UK to donate 10% of every sale of its Pink with Purpose Shelving to the charity - the same pink shelving featured in the campaign.

Georgette Beacham at BiGDUG said: "Breast cancer affects so many families, friends and communities. We wanted to do something that not only raises awareness but also gives back in a meaningful way. This campaign is about starting conversations and supporting the incredible work of Breast Cancer UK."