A Jersey breast cancer charity is partnering with CoppaFeel to teach secondary school pupils how to check for signs of the disease.

ABC Jersey and the UK volunteers, known as Boobettes, will be touring schools next month, educating young people about routinely checking their chest.

The tour of eight secondaries aims to reach around 2,000 teens.

CoppaFeel is a UK charity dedicated to early detection and awareness of breast cancer in young people. Its fun and informative live presentations are designed to make a lasting impact.

The Boobettes are people of any age who have a personal experience of breast cancer between the ages of 18-35 - either having been diagnosed themselves,  a genetic connection to the disease (e.g. BRCA+, PALB2),a breast cancer scare, preventative surgery, or with a close family member who has received a diagnosis.

Sue Frost, Treasurer of ABC Jersey explains, says raising awareness is its primary focus:

"As a local charity we have some ladies in their early twenties who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, so we have wanted to get this message out for quite some time.

The main thing is for youngsters to establish a routine, so they know what is their 'normal'.  Each month - find the right time of month to check - and if you pick up on anything that is not 'your normal', get it checked out."

CoppaFeel will be in Jersey schools on Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 March.

There will also be an Open Evening at the Town Hall the Wednesday evening.

"We're hoping these students that see the presentation will generate conversation with their parents.  We are doing the show twice on 6 March at 6pm and 7pm at the Town Hall so anyone can come along see exactly what it is that the youngsters have seen.

We will also have mammography nurses at that meeting, so anyone with questions about the breast screening service can have them answered."

ABC Jersey is also looking for its own local Boobettes. Visit the ABCJersey website for more information or visit coppafeel.org/boobettes to apply. Applications close 8 March 2024.