Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has kicked-off a new partnership between Scottish Women’s Football and the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

The partnership –called One Goal - aims to raise awareness among women footballers and to the wider public about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and to highlight the importance of exercise as way to reduce the risk of the disease.

Uniquely, much of the partnership will be delivered exclusively via Twitter as this is the most popular medium for followers of the women’s game in Scotland. Together both Breakthrough and Scottish Women’s Football will spread through social media important breast cancer messages on signs and symptoms, risk factors and exercise tips.

Audrey Birt, Scotland Director at Breakthrough Breast Cancer said: “We are really excited about this partnership as it will not only help promote breast awareness to women but also the value of exercise for improving your current physical health and longer term benefits such as reducing your risk of breast cancer.”

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: “We know that the earlier a cancer is diagnosed the greater the chance it can be treated successfully and that more lives can be saved in Scotland through earlier detection and better treatment. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in Scotland, and that is why we are focusing on this cancer as part of the Scottish Government’s Detect Cancer Early drive.

“This new partnership between Breakthrough Breast Cancer and the Scottish Women’s Football Association is a great way of helping to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, while also highlighting how important exercise is in helping to reduce the risk of cancer.”

Maureen McGonigle, Executive Administrator at Scottish Women's Football said:“We are using social media as a key platform for this relationship because this is where women's football can create most interest - reaching players, clubs and volunteers alike. Breakthrough will team up with our clubs and players on Twitter to communicate throughout the season important messages about breast cancer."

Forfar Farmington are backing the new partnership between SWF and Breakthrough Breast Cancer. For more information on the campaign check out the Breakthrough Breast Cancer website or follow them on twitter.

Emma McCulley, Fay McDonald, Sam Milne and Aimee Godfrey show their support for the campaign