I was just 22 years old when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer. I had recently given birth to my second child, life should have been full of joy and excitement. Instead, everything changed. 

“I remember thinking how can this be happening to me? I felt scared, confused and alone.” 

Coming from an Indian background, there was stigma around talking about illness. I was discouraged from talking about my breast cancer diagnosis openly, which made an already frightening experience feel even more isolating.

At a time when I needed support the most, I felt like I had very little. I went through a lumpectomy, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, trying to stay strong for my children while navigating something I didn’t fully understand.

Life moved forward.

Then, in 2024, I was diagnosed a second time – in the same breast, but this time a different type of cancer. 

“This time I kind of knew what to expect and I had much better support.”

My treatment involved a mastectomy, followed by reconstruction and reduction of my other breast.

“I’m still getting used to my new body but I’m grateful to be here.”

One of the positive part of my breast cancer diagnosis, has been connecting with other women who understand what it’s like. Through Breast Cancer Now’s Moving Forward course, I met a group of incredible women.

“We support each other through the bad days.”

If there’s one message I want to share, it’s to not stay silent. Talk about it, ask questions and take advantage of the support that’s offered to you.

And most importantly, I want to encourage everyone, no matter your background, to be aware of their bodies.

“Check yourself regularly. Know what’s normal for you. If something doesn’t feel right, get it check.”

Breast cancer can be frightening, but early detection and support can change everything.

Asda Tickled Pink funding is helping Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel! To put breast awareness on everyone's list. Together, we’re changing the future of breast cancer.

I’d found a lump the previous year, but it turned out to be a cyst, so I thought the change in texture would be nothing to worry about. But as I was walking into the waiting room, I felt an uneasy feeling, “maybe it was my turn to have a health blip.”

The first thing I noticed was the nurses had a different uniform, I’d ordered a uniform before for my past job, but this didn’t look like the usual one. I asked the consultant if everything was ok. That's when he told me – I had cancer in my breast. When the nurse asked about my family, I started to realise the impact this was going to have on my life. I was then spoken through my options and given some leaflets by Breast Cancer Now. 

Leaving the room, “I felt my tummy turning over”. The first person I told was my husband. I think fate played its hand, as he came home unexpectedly. We decided I wouldn’t tell my three girls yet, they didn’t need this additional worry. My eldest daughter, Isabella, had just started working for Breast Cancer Now, “this was a form of safety blanket for me knowing what they were about – their initiatives, support and scientific research breakthroughs”.

However, the anxiety started to show a couple weeks before my operation and I asked my husband to tell my eldest, Isabella. She was so supportive. “It was all becoming more real.” Then we told my other girls, Georgette and Clementine, “it was heartbreaking to see the fear in my girls”. We agreed it was a hiccup that would be overcome. 

I finally told my work and highlighted the amazing support I received from Breast Cancer Now – I wanted more people to know about Breast Cancer Now. I started having lots of conversations with colleagues about breast health and awareness. Many couldn’t understand how someone they saw as having a healthy lifestyle could have cancer, “it was a wake-up call for many, as it had been for me.”

The day of my operation I attached a ‘thank you’ badge to my knickers, I thought it would make the surgeons smile. It was a way for me to keep things light. 

15 days after the operation, I had an appointment. The consultant said the 4 lymph nodes removed were all cancer-positive, I had stage 3 breast cancer – it was worse than we initially thought. I needed another operation to clear any spread and the remaining cancer cells. The news was a shock. "The reality of letting people you know that you have become vulnerable to cancer is harder than dealing with the cancer itself. Watching the fear and uncertainty in your children is heartbreaking, it tears at your whole being as a parent and undermines the core of being a strong, supportive mother.”

My friends and family really rallied together to support me and raise money for Breast Cancer Now, because they’ve been vital for me during my diagnosis. My daughter Georgette bought all her baking supplies at Asda and made some breast cupcakes which I took to my next consultant appointment.

Throughout my diagnosis and treatment, I've spoken to many people, and signposted to Breast Cancer Now. I keep telling everyone to Touch Look Check.

After my surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, I thought that was it. But I was told I would be taking drugs for the next 5-10 years. This felt worse. The Breast Cancer Now Forum was there for me when I felt like I had so many questions and wanted to know more about what was next for me.

I came across Moving Foward course and felt like it was the right time for me. I was feeling low and was lacking self-confidence since the treatment. It was a very special experience; there was immense strength and humour amongst the group. We're still in touch now and check in with each other.

With support from Asda Tickled Pink, Breast Cancer Now’s Moving Forward course is supporting women like Joanna to move forward after their primary breast cancer diagnosis.

Check your chest regularly - it could make all the difference.

Sam, now 32, was told she had an increased risk of breast cancer in her 20’s. She took her health into her own hands, and had risk reduction surgery to reduce her risk. Now, she’s competing in three challenge events for CoppaFeel!, showing off her mastectomy scars to raise awareness of the importance of knowing your body at a young age.

At 19, Sam was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma and underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy to her chest. While the treatment saved her life, it increased her risk of developing breast cancer later in life.

For seven years, Sam underwent annual MRI scans to monitor for early signs.

“The three-month period, from receiving the letter, to having the scan, to waiting for results, all completely consumed me. I wasn’t myself. I became a shell. My health anxiety would spiral to its absolute peak, and it didn’t just affect me mentally. It took a physical toll too.” 

In 2023, Sam reached out to her GP to better understand her risk of developing breast cancer. The results showed a likelihood of developing breast cancer, comparable to someone with the BRCA gene change – a gene change that means your risk of getting breast cancer is between 50% and 90% higher than other people.  Faced with the facts, Sam made the decision to take control.

“I knew I couldn’t keep living in that cycle of fear. So I chose to have a risk reduction double mastectomy.”

In April 2025, Sam underwent surgery without reconstruction.

“When I woke up, it felt like a weight I’d carried for 12 years had gone. My shoulders dropped. It was the first time since I was 19 that I felt truly free.”

Now, Sam is using her story to challenge perceptions, celebrate all bodies, and raise awareness of breast cancer and understanding your body.

“Looking back, I do sometimes wonder; if I had known how to check my chest, if I had been more aware of charities like CoppaFeel!, would it have eased some of that anxiety? ”

In 2026, Sam is taking on three major fundraising challenges for CoppaFeel!, showing off her scars: the London Marathon, Chase the Sun Cycle and Swim Serpentine.

“Because I want people to see that survivor bodies are strong. They are valid. They are beautiful; even after cancer, even after surgery, even after everything.” 

With support from Asda Tickled Pink, CoppaFeel! continues to raise awareness and provide education that empowers people to understand their bodies, helping to reduce fear, encourage early breast cancer detection, and support informed choices about health.

Ziyad, 18, from London, is using his voice to empower young people to understand their bodies and take control of their health through education and awareness.

He first found CoppaFeel! in Year 12, after discovering the CoppaFeel! Challenge – a challenge for students to spread breast cancer awareness to their peers. With a strong background in youth advocacy, he was immediately drawn to the mission.

“I’ve always been passionate about advocacy and campaigning, having previously served as Deputy Young Mayor of Tower Hamlets. It was through campaigning with CoppaFeel! that I really began to understand the importance of regularly checking your chest.”

While researching for the Challenge, Ziyad came across stories of people who hadn’t been told the importance of checking their chest, and in turn weren't able to recognise unusual changes and the potential signs of breast cancer.

“Seeing how this impacted them made it clear just how vital awareness and education is, because noticing a change early can quite literally save your life.”

Since then, Ziyad has become an active member of CoppaFeel!’s Youth Network – a community of young people who help shape CoppaFeel!’s work to ensure it stays relevant, accessible and engaging for all young people. From providing feedback on creative campaigns to attending focus groups and outreach events, he’s played a key role in ensuring CoppaFeel!’s messaging is accessible and relevant for all.

He has also taken part in community outreach projects, including speaking to young people at awareness events, like CoppaFeel!’s activation in Croydon shopping centre.

“Being part of these conversations and seeing the impact in real time has been incredibly rewarding, and it reinforces how important it is to keep spreading this message. Through all of this, I’ve not only helped raise awareness within my community, but also developed a much stronger personal understanding of my own health and the confidence to encourage others to do the same.”

With support from Asda Tickled Pink, CoppaFeel! continues to reach and empower young people like Ziyad with potentially life saving education, giving a new generation the confidence to know their bodies and advocate for their health.

Real Self Checker, Ella, was just 23 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer during a routine check. She wants to use her voice to ensure all young people know that breast cancer can affect them too. 

Ella had adrenal cancer when she was just nine months old, but made a full recovery. At the age of 22, she was told there was a chance she might have Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, a condition which prevents people from being able to suppress tumour growth. Tests confirmed she had the syndrome, and she was invited for annual full-body scans to check for cancer. She was on the waiting list for an elective double mastectomy to reduce her risk of breast cancer when, on her second scan, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. 

She said: "When I got diagnosed I couldn't feel a lump or anything. It was just through the luck of having the scan that I found out, otherwise I might not have known until much later. It's terrible luck that I have Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, but it also saved my life. I want women who are younger to be checking themselves, I want men to be checking themselves, I want everyone to be aware of what their body feels and looks like, so that if they notice something unusual they are empowered to contact their GP and advocate for themselves". 

“I'm not frightened to talk about it because other younger women need to know this can happen to them.” 

"I've been going through cancer for 10 years now, so my message is not to ignore it if you find something. I found a lump and ignored it for about eight months before I went to the doctors. I had no choice but to have a mastectomy and start chemotherapy and I wish I had just gone to the doctors when I found it originally.” 

Shantelle shared her story to raise awareness of breast cancer among young women as part of the 2024 Asda Tickled Pink campaign, urging others not to wait if they find something unusual. Her journey is a powerful reminder that cancer doesn’t discriminate by age. She supported the Tickled Pink campaign to ensure young women know the importance of early detection. 

“If you feel anything unusual get it checked out… if I'd left it longer…I might not be sitting here now.” 

"I jog a lot and was wearing one of these nylon jogging shirts and on one particular day it was rubbing against my nipple and I was suddenly in excruciating pain. I couldn't see anything untoward but thought I'd better get it checked." 
 
Harry, a 74-year-old retired police officer, shares his unexpected journey with breast cancer as part of the Asda Tickled Pink campaign. A chance discovery while jogging led to his diagnosis, and now he’s on a mission to raise awareness among men. 
 
Harry emphasises the importance of regular self-checks no matter your gender and acting quickly if something feels off. He believes men should be as vigilant about checking their breasts as they are with other parts of their health. Early detection can make all the difference. 

Aria from Renfrew in Glasgow, was just 16 when her Mum, Rani, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is sharing her story with Asda Tickled Pink, telling us about how she's been inspired by her Mum's experience to spread awareness, challenge taboos and change attitudes. 

Aria's mum saw a post on Facebook about breast cancer and checking, which encouraged her to check her own chest and subsequently find a lump in her armpit. After initially not wanting to make a fuss, she went to see her GP, was diagnosed with breast cancer and started her treatment soon after. Aria said: "I come from a South Asian background and learned from Mum’s experience that breast cancer is a taboo topic. Any mention of breasts was seen as something wrong, or that you didn't discuss, so although people were supportive it was difficult to share our experience. You'd tell someone to check themselves and they were like, 'what do you mean?'." 

But Aria believes her generation is a lot more open to speaking about these topics, something her mum feels very proud of, knowing that sharing these experiences can help others in a similar position. She has continued to spread awareness of breast cancer by joining her university's CoppaFeel! Uni Boob Team where she has met others with similar experiences and heard breast cancer awareness spoken of positively.