Breast cancer awareness has always been about more than a single campaign or a single month. It is about building knowledge, encouraging confidence, and inspiring action that can make a life-saving difference. This year, through our She Stands Strong initiative, we are proud to support CoppaFeel!, the UK’s only youth-focused breast cancer awareness charity, to highlight the importance of knowing and checking your chest, recognizing the signs of change, and understanding that early detection saves lives.
The Importance of Early Detection
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in the UK, with statistics showing that 1 in 7 women will face a diagnosis in their lifetime, and around 400 men are affected each year. While these figures can feel overwhelming, the reality is that survival rates improve significantly when breast cancer is found earlier. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the more effective treatment can be, and the greater the chance of recovery. Awareness, education, and monthly chest-checking are powerful tools of protection.
CoppaFeel! was founded with this mission at its core. Their work is built on ensuring that young people grow up with the knowledge and confidence to check their chests regularly and to recognize when something feels unusual. Their message is clear, direct, and empowering: when you know your body, you are better able to advocate for yourself, seek medical advice early, and protect your future. It is an approach that encourages action, without fear, reminding us that health awareness is about equipping people with knowledge they can use to take care of themselves and their bodies.
How to Check Your Chest
Learning how to check your chest can feel daunting if you have never done it before, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. CoppaFeel!’s Self-Checkout Tool offers a practical, step-by-step guide that makes the process simple and accessible. By following the tool, anyone, regardless of gender, can learn what to look for, develop confidence in their technique, and make chest checking a regular habit.
To help turn awareness into routine, CoppaFeel! also provides a free monthly text reminder service for those living in the UK. A quick, fun message delivered to your phone each month serves as a timely reminder, ensuring that chest-checking becomes part of your regular self-care routine.
What to Look Out For
But what should you actually be paying attention to? While everyone’s chest is unique, there are some common signs and changes worth noting:
- Lumps or areas of your chest that start to feel thicker than the rest
- Changes in the size, shape, or feel of the breast or surrounding area (up and around your armpits too)
- Unusual pain
- Nipple changes, such as it being pulled inwards or changing direction (inversion) or liquid coming from your nipple (discharge)
- Changes in skin texture, like uneven texture (puckering), dimpling, or redness
None of these automatically mean fear of the worst, but they are signs that deserve attention. Knowing your body means you are more likely to notice subtle differences, and acting quickly by contacting your GP can make a world of difference.
Awareness as Empowerment
Awareness is not just about information; it is also about empowerment. Breast cancer can affect anyone, and by encouraging people to check their chests and seek help when something feels off, we create a culture where self-advocacy is normalized. CoppaFeel! embodies this approach with a message that is never about instilling fear but about giving people the tools to feel in control of their health. It is a philosophy we, at Women’s Best, share wholeheartedly.
She Stands Strong: Designed to Support
As part of She Stands Strong, we are introducing the Power Seamless Zip Front Bra. This bra has been designed with features that reflect both function and care: a softer ribbed underband, a front zip closure for ease, particularly valuable post-surgery, a protective zip guard, and removable cups with extra-wide openings for prosthetics.
It is activewear designed not only for performance but also with the realities of recovery and comfort in mind. For those navigating the physical and emotional challenges of breast cancer, supportive clothing that feels practical, accessible, and empowering can make a tangible difference. While this product is only a small part of the larger campaign, it reflects our belief that every detail matters when it comes to supporting women through all stages of their journey.
As part of the campaign, Women’s Best has made a direct donation of £5,000 to support CoppaFeel!’s work and chest checking mission.
How You Can Take Action
Of course, raising awareness is about more than a single product. It is about standing together, sharing information, and supporting the organizations that are creating real impact. If you are inspired to take action, there are three simple steps you can take today:
- Check your chest: Start today with the Self-Checkout Tool.
- Set reminders: If you’re in the UK, sign up for CoppaFeel!’s free monthly text service.
- Support the cause: If you’d like to make a personal contribution, you can donate directly to CoppaFeel! here.
Standing Strong Together
At its heart, She Stands Strong is about resilience, empowerment, and solidarity. It is a reminder that breast cancer awareness is not abstract, nor is it reserved for certain groups of people. It is relevant to all of us because breast cancer can affect anyone. By talking openly, checking regularly, and supporting initiatives like those led by CoppaFeel!, we each play a role in driving change.
Early detection can save lives. And together, through spreading awareness, encouraging proactivity, and forgoing fear, we can make sure that more people grow up knowing their bodies, recognizing the signs of change, and feeling confident to take action. That is the power of awareness, and that is what She Stands Strong represents.
