October, 20265 MIN READ
Get to know your Chest – Checking in with CoppaFeel!
We at Boux Avenue are on a mission to look after your health from top to bottom. We have been partnering with CoppaFeel! since 2023 to help you look after the top half 🍒
CoppaFeel! is the UK’s only youth focused breast cancer awareness charity, working to ensure that all breast cancers are diagnosed early and accurately.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a condition when cells in the breast tissue grow out of control and form tumours. Breast tissue is the area across your chest, all the way up to your collarbone, and into your armpits.
Breast cancer can affect anybody, since everyone has breast tissue. Yet when diagnosed early, breast cancer treatments are more effective and survival rates are higher. Early detection can save lives.
This is why CoppaFeel! wants you to check your chest and to get to know your normal. CoppaFeel! educates people on the signs of breast cancer, and encourages you to check your chest once a month so that if you notice something unusual, you are empowered to contact your GP and advocate for your health.
Whatever you call them - your boobs, pecs or chest – CoppaFeel! wants you to check them to get to know what’s normal for you!
Stats and facts about Breast Cancer
In the UK… - 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. - Nearly 400 men are diagnosed every year. - Around 2,500 people under the age of 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. - 1 in 6 of breast cancer diagnoses are in people under 50 years old – outside the national screening age. - Breast cancer risk can be affected by age, family history and lifestyle factors. This includes obesity and smoking.
Breast Cancer Signs & Symptoms
We are partnering with CoppaFeel! to help you feel more confident in checking your chest. There is no right or wrong way to check – you can check in any way that feels comfortable for you. Everyone has to start somewhere, so do not worry if you do not feel confident straight away.
CoppaFeel! has some tips and guidance for where to start:
Check your chest monthly - They recommend monthly checking. If you get to know what is normal for you, it will be easier to notice any unusual changes.
Check all of your breast tissue - The area that can be affected by breast cancer reaches all the way up to your collarbones, underneath your armpits and your nipples. Check this whole area each time. This is the same for all genders.
Look and feel, be aware of the signs of breast cancer - Both look and feel every time you check. Some signs may be noticed by looking, for example a rash. Whereas others may only be noticed by feeling, i.e. a lump.
If you notice an unusual change, speak to your GP - If in doubt, get it checked out. GPs are able to answer concerns and refer urgently if needed.
Below are some signs and symptoms of breast cancer that you should be aware of. Remember, not all chest changes mean breast cancer but when in doubt, always get checked out by your GP. All bodies are different, and you are the expert on what is normal for you.
Now that you’ve learnt more about breast cancer – it’s time to act!
If you’d like more help with understanding how to check or how to get started on your checking journey, then have a go at CoppaFeel!’s Self-Checkout! This is CoppaFeel!’s fab online guide to checking; taking you step-by-step through how to get started and providing practical tools and reminders to have the confidence to do this every month.
You can also sign up to get free monthly text reminders sent directly to your phone, so you always remember to check! Sign up by texting CHECK to 82228. For all the T&C's visit coppafeel.org/remind-me. Get all your friends and family to sign up as well.
Check out coppafeel.org for more information and FAQ’s about chest checking. Follow them on socials @coppafeel to keep up to date with all the exciting Breast Cancer Awareness campaigns and awareness information they share throughout the year.
References: Cancer Research UK website, Accessed September 2026