This October, something very special is happening. And no, I’m not talking about Halloween. That right! It’s the tenth birthday of Coppafeel!, a breast cancer charity that’s spent the last decade helping save lives, and this year they’re aiming to be bigger and better than ever before!
For those who don’t know, CoppaFeel! is a charity founded back in 2009 by twins, Kristin and Maren Hallenga. Kristen was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 23 and, unfortunately, because of a late diagnosis due to a number of factors, Kristin’s cancer is incurable. Fuelled by the difficult experience of Kristin’s diagnosis, the Hallenga’s wanted to ensure that young people were educated about the dangers of a late diagnosis, and so Coppafeel! was born. The charity focuses on breast cancer awareness specifically to help people understand the signs of breast cancer so they can be treated earlier and getting the best possible survival rates.
The Coppafeel! vision statement is to “live in a world where all breast cancers are diagnosed at the earliest stage possible, at which treatments are more effective and survival rates are higher.” Statistics from Breast Cancer Case show that breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women under 40, with 5000 women under the age of 45 diagnosed every year, with around 400 men too. There is a misconception that cancer only affects older people, and Coppafeel is the first breast cancer charity in the UK to focus solely on awareness and knowledge in young people. They do this in many different ways; be it celebrity and brand partnerships, national campaigns and even treks to the Himalayas with their Fabulous Challenges. However, one of their efforts to reach out and educate young people comes in the form of Uni Boob Teams.
Uni Boob Teams are groups of student ambassadors representing Coppafeel! at (currently) 60 universities across the UK, who spend their time “shouting about boob-checking and raising funds” for the charity. And yes, we have our own Uni Boob team right here at NTU! The Notts Uni Boob team aims to uphold the Coppafeel! mission and raise awareness of breast cancer, specifically amongst students, to increase early detection rates and to help save lives. You may have seen them wandering around campus with a giant boob costume on, and they also host events and collaborate with other societies whilst on their mission. While the messages to UBT sends are of course very serious, you may be able to tell that they aim to keep their campaigns and activities as positive, and as glitter-filled, as possible. People are 43% more likely to check themselves regularly if they are aware of a Uni Boob Team, so just by reading this article you are already well on your way to getting to know your body, your boobs and what your normal is!
Checking your boobs regularly can literally save your life. For women and men, “copping a feel” of your boobs or pecs once a month can help you spot signs that could be breast cancer, and finding it early means it’s very treatable and survival rates are higher. In the words of Coppafeel! “you need to become good chums with your boobs”. Below is a diagram on what to look out for.
Coppafeel also offers a fantastic text reminder service; every month you’ll get a text to your phone (and they’re very funny, as well as being helpful and potentially lifesaving). To opt in to this completely free service, text UBT NTU to 70500, and start grabbing life by the boobs today!
By Polly Harrison
Feature image courtesy of ICAP charity