Change and Check

The Change and Check breast cancer awareness campaign was launched by TV host Lorraine Kelly and her friend, Helen Addis, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of just 39, despite having no family history of the illness.

When Helen, a producer for ITV breakfast programme, Lorraine was diagnosed in April 2018, she teamed up with Lorraine to show women how to check themselves for signs of breast cancer.

Since the campaign was launched, more than 15,000 Change and Check posters and stickers have appeared in changing facilities throughout the UK and several women, including our very own Rachael Wellbelove, have received early diagnoses of breast cancer as a result of the campaign.

Postwoman of 23 years Rachael, from Bordon Delivery Office, discovered she had breast cancer after watching a clip about the campaign on the Lorraine show in May last year.

The Change and Check stickers, which you can download here, serve to remind women to check for the symptoms of breast cancer. When the campaign launched, Lorraine Kelly, said: ‘The reason we’ve chosen changing rooms for our campaign is because it’s a place where you take off your clothes, and maybe you’re thinking about – or at least looking at – your breasts. Maybe that’d be a good time to have quick feel, too? But it could be at another time.’

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK with one woman diagnosed every 10 minutes and one in seven women developing breast cancer in their lifetime.

Checking your breasts only takes a few minutes. Everyone will have their own way of touching and looking for changes, but remember to check the whole breast area, including your upper chest and armpits. There’s no special technique and you don’t need training. It’s as simple as TLC: Touch Look Check.

If you are concerned about your breasts, please visit your GP as soon as possible.