A woman's battle with breast cancer

According to the Malta National Cancer Registry, breast cancer is the most common cancer to afflict women, with an average annual incidence of 208 cases. It is also one of the most common causes of cancer death and an average of 81 women die each year.

The good news is that the number of deaths has been decreasing in the past years as a result of better treatment and early detection. Despite this, women have to be constantly vigilant, and Pink's June edition, which is out with The Times tomorrow, is playing its part to raise awareness of the importance of regular breast examinations.

It has taken the issue to heart and is helping to promote the importance of early detection through a woman's inspirational diary - a blow-by-blow account of how she coped with her illness in the hope that others adopt a regular breast examination routine.

Being "breast aware" is what saved Betty Lee, who lost both her mother and her grandmother to this illness. She courageously shares her innermost feelings from her diary with Pink, conveying the clear message that early detection can save lives.

Still focusing on women's battles, Heroine, a new section in Pink, features the fight to put an end to honour killings in Turkey. But it's not just females who have to face life's uphill struggles. Sunday, being Father's Day, Pink zooms in on one dad's problems with the justice system, which automatically favours the mother when it comes to a child's custody in separation cases.

On a lighter note, with summer officially kicking off next week, Pink has lined up eight pages of fresh looks in ShowStopper, where fashion goes frilly, plus a peek at the gold pieces on the market for the latest in opulent accessories.

Health is always top of the agenda. So, Pink is also providing tips and advice on what to do to avoid falling victim to food poisoning at wedding receptions and barbecues. After all, in the first four months of the year, the Disease Surveillance Unit received reports of 22 cases of food poisoning while, last year, there were 271 cases of various food-borne illnesses.

Tomorrow's issue, the eighth since Pink was created in November, also contains the usual fix of beauty, fitness and food, as well as prizes to be won by those who write in with their feedback on the magazine and articles that have moved them.

A monthly magazine, Pink is published by Allied Newspapers Ltd, printed by Progress Press Ltd and produced by MediaMaker. It is edited by The Times' journalists Fiona Galea Debono and Ariadne Massa and designed by Helen Cassar Torreggiani and Joseph Schembri.