Nabila Farooq standing with a blue sign featuring an eye and hand in front of Manchester Library.

Women from Greater Manchester star in a new campaign by the NHS to raise awareness about the importance of checking your breasts or chest.

Nabila Farooq is one woman who stars in the new campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer.

The campaign by Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance – part of the NHS –  encourages people to “look and feel” every month and report any potential signs of breast cancer to their GP.

Its launch follows Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October and includes local faces as well as some Greater Manchester landmarks including Central Library in Manchester, the Imperial War Museum in Trafford and Tandle Hill Park in Oldham.

The campaign particularly speaks to women who currently take longer to come to their GP with symptoms according to the latest data including women aged 40 to 50, women aged 71 plus and women from ethnic minorities.

Older lady standing on a hill with an orange t-shirt with an eye and a hand on it.Lynn Tissington, aged 77 from Oldham, was photographed for the campaign at Tandle Hill Park in Royton.

“I wanted to get involved because I know it’s important to check your breasts regularly and I volunteer in Maggie’s Oldham, a cancer care centre.

“I’m encouraging everyone in Greater Manchester – particularly older women like me – to look and feel every month.”

Nabila Farooq, 58, from Trafford, who was successfully treated for breast cancer in 2006, was photographed in Manchester city centre.

“I would like women to be more aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and make it a habit to check themselves regularly.”

A Black woman in her 40s stands in front of central reference library in Manchester city centre wearing a green T-shirt with a hand and an eye on the front to encourage people to look and feel their breastsChinyere Onyike Kalu, 44, from Bolton, who also features in the campaign said:

“Breast cancer is curable but early detection and treatment is key.”

Mandy Jelenje, 69, from Great Lever, Bolton, was photographed for the campaign in Salford showing the Imperial War Museum in the background.

She said: “Using pictures and posters is a great way of disseminating information.  As they say, “a picture can say a thousand words”.

“Back home in Malawi, cancer has affected friends and members of my family and this was one of the reasons I wanted to take part.

“Being involved in this campaign means I can take the message back home to friends and family about the importance of checking your breasts regularly too.”

Clare Garnsey, Clinical Lead, breast pathway boardDr Clare Garnsey, Clinical Lead for Breast Cancer and Associate Director at Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, said:

“The message we want to give out is clear. Most people survive breast cancer if treated at an early stage. Your GP wants to hear about any changes.”

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK so it’s important to check your breasts regularly and get to know these signs:

  • a new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast
  • a change in size or shape of one of your breasts – it’s common for your breasts to be different sizes, but check for any changes that are not normal for you
  • a change in the skin of your breast, such as dimpling, puckering or redness, which may be harder to see on black or brown skin
  • a bloody or clear nipple discharge, that comes out without squeezing
  • a change in your nipple, such as it turning inwards (inverted nipple) or a scaly or red nipple rash
  • a lump or swelling in your armpit

If you notice a change that isn’t normal for you, you should always contact your GP.

For more information about how to check your breasts or chest, visit: How to check your breasts or chest – NHS.