• Breast Cancer Now's Support Services: Provides comprehensive information on breast cancer, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and support networks.

Download and order publications | Breast Cancer Now

• CoppaFeel!'s Educational Materials: Offers guidance on how to check your chest, recognise the signs of breast cancer, and access to free information packs and digital resources.

Downloadable Resources - CoppaFeel!

• Downloadable Resources: Both organisations provide downloadable materials, such as leaflets and posters, to educate individuals and communities about breast health.

Sophie works in Asda’s Pharmacy and has been an Asda colleague for 24 years. She joined when her son Matthew was just 1, only thinking she’d stay for a short while. Instead Asda became part of family life. Over the years Sophie worked across Counters, Bakery, George and the Cash Office, before eventually finding her passion in Pharmacy. 

As a mum, Sophie knows how everyday habits are passed down. From routines and recipes, to the little reminders that become second nature. She believes checking your boobs, pecs or chest should be one of them. 

During lockdown in February 2021, Sophie was diagnosed with breast cancer after noticing an unusual pain and deciding to get it checked. She was diagnosed with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) breast cancer, and further testing showed it was more aggressive than first thought. Catching it early made a real difference. 

But Covid restrictions meant Sophie had to attend hospital appointments alone as well as spending time off work during treatment. She went on to have surgery followed by daily radiotherapy for a month. And although the treatment was tiring, she was supported throughout by her husband, who was a constant source of strength, helping her stay positive and keeping family life steady during an incredibly difficult time. 

Mother’s Day that year stands out for Sophie. It fell just days before her surgery, and her son travelled from Cheltenham to see her. But the only safe way they could talk was from the front garden. It was a quiet moment that stayed with her and reinforced how important everyday care and checking can be. 

When Sophie returned to work, she eventually moved into Pharmacy - a role she loves for the people, the conversations and the chance to help others. Leaflets and information were incredibly helpful when she was first diagnosed, and now she values being able to pass that knowledge on. 

Sophie’s recovered from breast cancer now, and Tickled Pink has become “a bit of a baby” for her. She supports the campaign by raising money in-store, sharing information and encouraging customers to make checking a regular habit. For Sophie, Tickled Pink is about gentle reminders, shared conversations and looking out for one another - especially between mums, daughters, sisters and friends. 

There wasn’t a history of breast cancer in my family, so when I first felt a lump at 19 I was so scared. I went into fight or flight mode.  

I didn’t know much about breast cancer, other than the basics I’d seen on social media. I didn’t think it could happen to someone so young. It’s more expected for women who are older to have it. Which is why it was such a shock when I was diagnosed. 

I remember the room went silent – it felt surreal. I didn’t understand, why me? I was convinced the doctor had the wrong patient file. My plan was to get a job, learn how to drive, and to go travelling around Europe with my friends. But the diagnosis put a pause on all of that. 

When I started treatment, I didn’t think I’d be able to reach the stage I’m at now. My mental health went down the drain and because I didn’t know anyone with breast cancer, let alone anyone young with breast cancer, I didn’t know who to talk to. In the hospital, my parents supported me at appointments. Other patients were always older and no one was my age. They’d be shocked when I’d go to the breast clinic with my mum, expecting her to stand up when they called my name rather than me. They thought she was the patient. No one really understood what I was going through – it felt so isolating.  

Before cancer, I was very shy and closed off. I didn’t like trying new things, or stepping out of my comfort zone. But I’ve had to be bolder. I’ve become more of an extrovert. I used to hate phone calls but since my diagnosis, I’ve had to call hospitals and doctors. I used to dress in baggy clothes and now I think “you only have one life”, dress how you want. I always wanted to get a nose piercing but never did, I was scared of the pain. I’m used to needles now, so I got one.  

If I could go back in time, I’d tell my pre-cancer self to do the things I was scared of, stop being shy and have some confidence. If you think there’s something to fight for, fight for it. 

Breast and ovarian cancer have shaped the lives of three generations of women in my family - each of us facing it in our own way, yet bound by the power of knowing our risk. 

It began with my granny. At just 23, she had surgery after a cyst was found on her ovary. By 29, she was diagnosed with breast cancer that had already spread to her lymph nodes. Over the years, she had multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, early menopause, and later the discovery of a faulty BRCA1 gene. Even after having her ovaries removed to reduce her risk, cancer returned more than once. She went on to face a rare implant-associated lymphoma and, later, aggressive kidney cancer. Through everything, she showed us what real courage looks like. 

My mum’s story took a different path. After learning she carried the same faulty BRCA1 gene, she chose to have preventive surgery to reduce her cancer risk. At just 27, she had a double mastectomy and reconstruction, followed by a full hysterectomy at 33. I was still a teenager watching her go through it all - and from then on, I quietly wondered what my own results might one day say. 

Years later, during one of the happiest weeks of my life - finding out I was pregnant with my second child - I received my own genetic test result. I carried the BRCA1 gene too. In the same moment as that joy came fear. But I thought about my mum. I thought about my granny. And I knew what I needed to do. 

At 27, just like my mum, I chose to have a preventive mastectomy and reconstruction, with further surgery planned to reduce my ovarian cancer risk. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the right one for me, my health, and my family. I don’t regret it for a second. 

Choosing preventive surgery opened my eyes to a community of strong, resilient people making brave, life-changing choices every day. Being open about cancer in our family - talking about it, understanding our risk, and facing it together - has helped carry us through. 

3 generations. 3 different journeys. 1 shared story. If our experience shows anything it’s that knowing your risk, checking your body, and acting early can change lives - not just yours, but the lives of those who come after you. 

“In September 2018, I was putting cream on my body from head to toe. When I reached my chest, I noticed a lump. I thought, "What is this?" and paid closer attention. I called a friend who urged me to get it checked, but I dismissed it - and when a second friend said the same, I dismissed that too.

It was a lesson learned. I eventually went to the doctor and was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, which had spread to my lymph nodes. I received the diagnosis with calm and grace. I didn’t cry, and I haven’t cried to this day. I was aware of what cancer was, and I knew people from my background were being diagnosed. My attitude was: "I’m going to beat you. I won’t let you get to me." Following a mammogram, the doctors found a second lump within my chest wall, meaning I needed a mastectomy. I’ve stayed positive from day one and was told this helped in my recovery. Now, no matter the challenge, I always try to find the positive side.

Breast Cancer Now’s Moving Forward course was a huge help to me after treatment. It was a beautiful course, with warm, friendly facilitators and a wealth of information. I believe in empowering myself through knowledge, and knowing how to move forward, past treatment, made a huge difference. My advice? If you spot something unusual, don’t ignore it like I did at first. Check your chest regularly - and trust yourself to act. It could make all the difference.”

Robyn was lying in bed when she felt a lump under her breast. Looking in the mirror, everything looked fine, but lying down, she could feel it. She waited a few weeks, but it didn’t go away. That’s when she told her partner, Andy.

“He said, ‘You need to go to the doctor,’” Robyn recalls. Within ten days of seeing her GP, she was referred to a breast clinic. During the scan, the nurse told her she was concerned—and in that moment, Robyn knew. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and quickly began treatment, undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, all while trying to protect their young children as much as possible. “When I lost my hair, that was really hard for them,” Robyn says. “My daughter drew a picture of me with a hat, because that’s how she saw me.”

Andy remembers the diagnosis clearly. “It hit me like a tonne of bricks. But looking back, we’re the lucky ones-Robyn is still here.” Then, soon after, Andy’s mum was also diagnosed with breast cancer. The impact of both diagnoses inspired Andy to act. “I decided to run the London Marathon for Breast Cancer Now-to honour Robyn, my mum, and everyone facing this disease.” Thanks to the incredible support of Asda Tickled Pink and the efforts of Asda colleagues, customers and suppliers, £100 million has now been raised for breast cancer charities-funding lifesaving research and services for families like theirs. “Research into better treatments is vital,” says Robyn. “I’m lucky I found my lump in time. We need to keep pushing for everyone to have that chance.” Please, know your body. Check your chest regularly-it could save your life.

“Breast cancer was never something I thought was relevant to me as it hadn’t run in my family. As a student, I took the opportunity to lead my university’s CoppaFeel! University Volunteer programme; growing a community to spread awareness of the importance of checking your chest across campus. I also developed my own checking routine with help from CoppaFeel!’s services and resources.

Getting to know my body, and what was normal for me, meant that I was able to notice a lump and increased sensitivity in my chest. I was really nervous to make a GP appointment but reading CoppaFeel!’s website about what to expect, helped ease my worries until I got a clearer picture.

Thankfully, the lump was sensitive tissue. I learnt about how to manage hormonal breast pain around my period. I am grateful to have had the support and confidence to get myself checked out, and I would urge anyone who is unsure about their health to do the same. It could just save your life.” 

“I’m so thankful that I checked my chest that day whilst pregnant, and that I went to see a GP when I noticed a lump.” 

In 2018, at 33 years old and 20 weeks pregnant, I found a lump in my left breast. Although my GP thought it might be a milk duct due to pregnancy, she referred me for an ultrasound just to be sure. The radiologist’s decision to take biopsies raised alarm bells, and two weeks later, I was told I had breast cancer. I couldn’t believe it—pregnant and facing this at my age. 

Things moved fast: six days after diagnosis, I had surgery to remove the tumour, followed by more surgery for clear margins. I then learned I carried the BRCA2 gene mutation, which increases the possibility of being diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer. Over the next few months, I endured chemotherapy, an induced labour at 39 weeks, followed by a bilateral mastectomy, radiotherapy, and five years of tamoxifen. In May 2024, I had my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed, and I’m now in a medically induced menopause. 

I’m thankful I checked my breast that day and that my GP and radiologist took it seriously. Please check your chest—if something feels wrong, see your GP. It could save your life. 

“My mum’s diagnosis made me understand the importance of advocating for my health.” 

I was 12 years old when my mum was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Her treatment wasn’t something I really understood or had been exposed to before as I was so young, and growing up in an Indian household breast cancer is a bit of a taboo topic.  

Catching it early played a big role in her outcome and experience. Mum has now been in the all clear for five years. Seeing her recovery and positive attitude throughout taught me just how important it is to get to know your body - as it really can save your life. At 22, I actively remind my friends to check and want to raise awareness on knowing your body and advocating for your health! 

“I had a recent clear mammogram, but I knew redness and swelling wasn’t normal for me. Trust your instinct, get anything unusual checked out, it could save your life.” 

In September 2023, at 57, I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer, a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. Despite a clear mammogram, I noticed redness and swelling in my breast. After seeing my GP, a biopsy confirmed it was inflammatory breast cancer. I underwent chemotherapy, but the redness spread until surgery wasn’t an option. Now I’m on lifelong chemotherapy to manage the symptoms of locally advanced breast cancer, but I’m determined to live life fully. Remember to look for differences not just lumps, trust your instincts and act fast if something feels off.