Coppafeel, the breast cancer charity supporting younger women are holding an informal get together day with the hope of recruiting volunteers.
If you are interested please contact them directly on <script type=“text/javascript”>eval(unescape(‘%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%6d%61%72%65%6e%40%63%6f%70%70%61%66%65%65%6c%2e%6f%72%67%22%3e%6d%61%72%65%6e%40%63%6f%70%70%61%66%65%65%6c%2e%6f%72%67%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b’))</script> or 07585504255 by 17th November. Their website is coppafeel.org/theboobettes
I know I am likely to be contraversial here, however the ‘coppafeel’ title is not one which I think is entirely sensitive nor appropriate when we consider we are talking about bc here. Sorry, I guess I may be in the minority, however, many people are quick to say how they consider the ‘pink’ approach unacceptable and I just wondered what their thoughts were about this name being used here? J.
I’ll join you two ladies in your minority group - just been across to look at the website, and fraid I’m not particularly impressed. I know dealing with things in a light-hearted way can get a message across, and I sincerely hope it does so, cos the more bc incidences caught early enough the better, but if I had youngsters, I’d rather them be coming on this site, than on Coppafeel Boobettes.
But hey, I’m 50yrs young, n that website’s for a much younger audience!
Each to their own I guess - I’d be interested in anyone’s reasons why they think it’s a good website.
Ok yes the name may be a tad inapropriate but before i was diagnosed age 27 i’d had the lump for 9 months before i went to see my GP, didnt even check my boobs and found the lump by accident. I didn’t even think younger women could get breast cancer, ok maybe i was being naive. When i went to my GP i was told it’s prob nothing, when i went to hospital i was told it’s prob nothin by 4 medical professionals.
If this gets younger women with no family history to check their boobs and raises awareness that breast cancer doesn’t care whether your 18 about to start on your journey of life or 118 then surely the name is irrelevant?
As it’s aimed at schools, youth centres and colleges I think the name will catch girls’ attention, will stick in their minds, and hopefully make them think and become breast aware from a young age.
I’m not a “younger women” but I hope I may comment.
a. How come BCC is promoting another bc charity? This used to be a no-no… what has changed?!?
b. Just had a quick look at the Coppafeel website, thinks “I guess there’s nothing for younger women with secondaries”… then I checked out Kris’s blog… I was wrong Good balance !!!
It has been interesting to have the differing views expressed here and I agree that a diagnosis of bc at a very young age must be so shocking and devastating. With this in mind I acknowledge that a means of raising awareness to young girls/women is imperative. And, yes, as some of you suggest ‘whats in a name’. However, I still think that the name will have a different connotation for men.
As an oldy of 50 with two daughters in their twenties I reckon any means of raising awareness is so important. I guess we will always have that feeling of ‘bc won’t happen to me’, even at my age (49 at diagnosis and we need more information readily available.
Best wishes to everyone and once again, thanks to everyone who has expressed their views here. J.
Another person in the large minority(?) who thinks that the name is tasteless.
I certainly knew that I had to check my boobs every month from about the age of 20 and I didn’t need a campaign with a smutty connotation to get me to do it - just the message that once one grows mammary glands, those glands need to be checked by hand every month.
That’s how I found mastitis when I was 24 and a fibro-adenoma when I had an infant.
Thinking back, I would have avoided reading literature with “Coppafeel” on it. It sounds coarse.
I would like to say a massive big well done to Kris, her family and friends and supporters, who founded and run Coppafeel…Kris’s story of developing breast cancer at an extremely young age, her misdiagnosis and the way she has dealt with her secondary diagnosis is inspirational, and this is from somebody who hates the word inspirational. I was aware of Coppafeel before I was even diagnosed and before the world became breast cancer centric for me. It is down to campaigns like hers that i proactively checked myself one Saturday night and found my lump, and knew it COULD be breast cancer. The awareness that this girl has raised is beyond fantastic and the charity is represented at most freshers fairs, festivals etc etc etc and the name stops and makes young people actually listen amongst the many stalls and advertising bombardments that are aimed at them. The name can cut through and hit home. I think age is important in this instance as the problem with breast cancer in young women is that they simply don’t think it CAN happen to them, which is different to thinking it can happen but won’t. Even the medical profession have this misconception frequently, hence Kris’s misdiagnosis. I personally don’t like the name, but the message that it is about breast cancer awareness is always right up next to it, you are never left wondering what coppafeel is about when you see their literature, Facebook page, twitter account etc. I would urge you to look past the name and see what fantastic work these people are doing. A huge vote in their favour from me!!!
“the problem with breast cancer in young women is that they simply don’t think it CAN happen to them”
Not ALL young women.
This has certainly NOT been my experience.
I checked myself, found the mastitis, had it checked by a believing GP, found the fibro-adenoma, was sent straight to the breast surgeon, etc etc.
Not trying to argue or be controversial, just sharing my experience.
I think it’s excellent and it’s aimed to catch the attention of a certain audience… Having worked in young persons sexual health and breast cancer genetics I think everything about it hits the spot for the younger audience.
Not everybody who has had breast cancer finds stuff about breasts tasteless and in poor judgement… Life goes on and most of these awareness campaigns are not aimed at people with breast cancer but people who are at risk from breast cancer and yes after. Diagnosis we all become a little more sensitive to how we were pre diagnosis but the rest of the world doesn’t suddenly becom more sensitive just cos we are.
Watched the film.
As long as Russell Brand doesn’t come up to me in the street and say Coppafeel I think it is okay. But just OK. I don’t like the word at all but there again I am an oldie. I would still prefer a different name as I think it sounds frivolous and a bit cheap. Sorry. V
In this case I definitely think it is horses for courses. BC in young women is not common, but if it does occur can be very aggressive. What is vital is that younger women are made aware that the earlier examining their breasts is part of life, like brushing their teeth.The more likely they are to continue in the later years when they are more at risk. It needs to be humorous and non threatening. I have been at festivals where the coppafeel crew are present, before and after dx and have never had a problem with their message, or their name. My 19 year old niece could not be persuaded to have the vaccine for cervical cancer ( much to our families horror ) but was more than happy to look at the coppafeel information and if questioned- when she feels like answering, will admit that she now self examines. Quite a triumph for a stubborn, thinks she’s invincible, but has watched 3 of her family members battle cancer, young adult.
In the same way that I dont watch cbbc because its not meant for me. Coppafeel is not meant for me, but for the audience it is targeting it seems pretty effective.
I have six tumors(Fibroadenomas ) in both breast 3 each from last 9 years. Now I get pain in my left side breast and back side. I do ultra sound. well defined hypoechoice numerous echogenic foci found in my ultra sound report. What is it its cancer?? or … Plz reply me
Whatever you think of the name, I urge you to point young women (and men) in your life to the Coppafeel! website and if you know any young women battling cancer then send them the information on the ‘Boobettes’
The aim of Coppafeel! is simple: to save lives.
Their methods of increasing awareness of breast cancer in young women among young people are fantastically successful and, thank goodness, spreading rapidly.
Kris and her team are filling a much needed gap in the provision of targeted information to young women. The name is brilliant - absolutely spot on. Remember, it’s designed to stick in the heads of young minds.
Look beyond the name and see the lives that are being saved and the paradigm shift which the charity is effecting.
Good balance !!!