Looking After Women's Health Issues From Top to Bottom

Here at Boux Avenue we don't just celebrate women on the 8th March, but all year round. With our partnerships with CoppaFeel! and Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust our mission is to look after women's health from top to bottom. 

So, on International Women's Day, it seems the perfect time to ask our charity partners to share some self-care tips around looking after our health and knowing the signs of breast and cervical cancer. 

How is Chest Checking Self Care?

CoppaFeel!'s work is centered around raising awareness and educating everyone to be confident and comfortable chest checkers. This means knowing what is normal for your body so any changes can be spotted early. When found early breast cancer is more treatable and survivable. Adding chest checking into your routine is an easy way to care for your current and future self. 

This International Women's Day we want you to be a chest-checking champ and share CoppaFeel!'s message far and wide! Whether to your mum, siblings, or friends - why not link to the CoppaFeel! Self check out on your Insta stories, send the free text reminder sign up link to your WhatsApp groups, or order some shower resources for your halls, home, or workplace. 

CoppaFeel!'s message is for everyone as breast cancer does not discriminate based on age, gender, ethnicity, or beliefs. Knowledge is power and CoppaFeel! Wants everyone to have the know-how, confidence, information, and regular reminders to make chest checking a part of a monthly routine. So go on, get spreading boob health awareness.

Combining Self-Care With Your Cervical Screening

It's an appointment many of us put off attending due to conflicting schedules, anxiety surrounding the appointment, potentially due to a bad past experience. However, attending your cervical screening is an important step in cervical cancer prevention. 

In the UK, you should be invited for cervical screening if you are between the ages of 25 and 64, and registered as female with a GP surgery. It is not a test for cancer. It is your choice whether to go for cervical screening. If you are registered with a GP, you will get a letter telling you when it's time for your cervical screening appointment. 

Many women have told Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust that their top tip for attending a cervical screening is booking in some self-care time for after. Whether that's cuddling up on the couch with a good movie, or going for coffee with the girls, it's important to have something to look forward to after your appointment, to help make sure you go.

Start Your Health Journey Today

Checking is not supposed to be daunting. CoppaFeel! encourage you not to 'look' for breast cancer; Instead, get to know your body so that you can notice any changes. Even if you do find a change, remember this - 9 out of 10 people who are referred to the breast clinic are not given a cancer diagnosis.

There is no right or wrong way to check. Get to know the list of signs and symptoms to be aware of below, and check in whichever way feels most comfortable to you.

Putting your cervical health first can also be done in the form of a symptoms diary. If you are experiencing unusual changes in your body, try to keep a record of your symptoms by using the notes app on your phone or a notebook. Keeping track of dates, the symptoms you are experiencing, how you are feeling, and what you were doing at the time is a useful way of understanding just how much they are affecting your daily life. 

This also helps let your doctor know what these symptoms are, and if there is any pattern to them so you can be clear about what is happening to you as a whole. 

This International Women's Day, why not kick off your checking journey with a soak in your favorite bubble bath, it's easy to check in the bath or shower, or even when applying moisturizer or self-tan.

Where to Get More Info

Check out CoppaFeel!'s website for more information and advice on chest checking, and sign up for CoppaFeel!'s monthly emails to keep 'abreast' (excuse the pun) of all their campaigns, activations, and information.

CoppaFeel!'s latest chest checklist video also shows what to bear in mind when checking (you can even vote for it in the Smiley Charity Film Awards).

Explore Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust's website for more information and support on attending your cervical screening and what different results mean.

You can also use their free and confidential support services if you have any questions or concerns about cervical cancer symptoms or HPV.

Support other women this International Women's Day by showing and sharing these health self-care tips. Remember that knowing your body could save your life so if in doubt, get checked out! You can easily donate to our charity partners using the link below too!