Take care, be breast aware

Checking your boobs regularly

When life gets hectic breast health can drop down your to-do list. When Breast Cancer Now investigated why 41% of UK women* don’t regularly check their breasts, many people replied that they simply forgot, weren’t in the habit, or didn’t really know how, which is why the Asda Tickled Pink partnerhsip is doing everything possible to turn those doubts around – because your health, and your family’s health, is top of our priority list.

The first step to take right now? Lose the fear factor. ‘The purpose of breast self-checks is simply to know what’s normal for your body,’ reassures Manveet Basra, Associate Director of Public Health, Inclusion and Awareness, ‘so if you do notice a new or unusual change, you can get it checked out. And we know from evidence that if something is picked up early, treatment is more likely to be successful.’** Checking is easy: Touch, Look, Know your Normal, Repeat regularly. Anyone can be affected by breast cancer so join us in our goal of getting one million more women and men checking their boobs, pecs or chest and caring for their health by 2026.

Busy, busy, busy

‘Women, particularly, and men, tend to forget their own health when juggling childcare work and other caring responsibilities,’ says Manveet. ‘We’re all busy.’ While “magicking” more hours in a day isn’t going to happen easily, a breast and pecs self-check only takes a couple of minutes.

Top tip: Put a ‘self-check’ reminder in your phone, calendar or diary – every four to six weeks is recommended. Try the CoppaFeel! text reminder service: Text ASDA to 82228 to receive a free monthly checking reminder*.

Know your normal

For self-checks, get to know your body – and you know your body better than anyone else. ‘Everyone’s breasts, chest and pecs are different, so it’s important to know yours. There is no right or wrong when it comes to shape or size,’ Manveet encourages.

Top tip: Add self-checking to an activity, such as taking a shower or getting dressed.

Key life stages

Self-checking is recommended for all adult women (but not during puberty, when young women’s breasts will already be experiencing changes in size and shape), and Manveet suggests checking outside of the days you’re on your period. Also be aware that breasts may naturally change during the perimenopause, menopause, while pregnant and breastfeeding.

Top tip: From aged 50 to 71 women are called to a mammogram (an X-ray) appointment every three years. Always self-check between those mammograms, as 80% of breast cancers occur in women aged over 50.

Mammograms

‘Mammograms look at anything you can’t see with the naked eye, which is why it’s so important to attend appointments.’

Top tip: Spray deodorant and talcum powder can affect mammograms – use a roll-on deodorant.†

Self-confidence

‘It can be daunting to check yourself in the mirror,’ says Manveet. And self-checks are for all communities, regardless of ethnicity or background. So get used to seeing your body in the mirror, feeling self-acceptance, and building up to self-checking.

Top tip: The sooner you make self-checking a habit, the more natural it will start to feel.

For more info…

For free confidential advice, contact Breast Cancer Now’s specialist breast care nurses on 0808 800 6000. Find out more about Tickled Pink at asda.com/tickledpink.

Donating to Tickled Pink

You will find products that support Tickled Pink up and down the aisles of all Asda stores, including flowers, drinks like Asda Extra Special Rhubarb and Ginger Non Alcoholic Botanical Drink (£10/70cl – donates £1), A Mother’s Hope for the Cornish Girls by Betty Walker (£4.50 – donates 45p) and items for Ramadan and Eid. Look out for the Tickled Pink logo or label.