Avon has launched Boob Crew, a team of eight inspirational women who have been affected by breast cancer, to encourage five million of their UK customers to check their breasts this month.
During October, which is internationally recognised as Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), the beauty giant will join forces with CoppaFeel, a UK breast cancer charity, to ensure “that no woman is left in the dark about breast cancer”.
According to Avon although breast cancer is still the most common form of cancer amongst women in the UK with one in eight expected to be diagnosed in their lifetime, a quarter aren’t sure how to check their breasts for signs of breast cancer.
The Boob Crew features CoppaFeel! patron and Avon’s representative ambassador Giovanna Fletcher as well as CoppaFeel! boobettes Kreena Dhiman and Sarah Hall and Avon associate Cathy Hoyle who have all been diagnosed with breast cancer.
The women will share their stories with Avon customers during the month to raise awareness of the importance of self-checking “to help save lives” as well as launch two products (a-shirt and necklace) that will see a 50 percent donation to CoppaFeel.
The launch of the Boob Crew follows Avon and CoppaFeel’s launch of CoppaCollege, a free digital learning tool that will give women access to a “boobipedia” of information about the risks, signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
The companies launched the tool as research shows that just 30 per cent of women check their breasts on a regular monthly basis with the main barrier to checking being lack of knowledge about what signs and symptoms to look for.
“With Avon’s support, we have been able to create an innovative, first of its kind educational resource especially to educate and empower women on the importance of boob checking,” says CoppaFeel! CEO Natalie Kelly.
“Our research shows that not only is there a gap in confidence when it comes to checking, but there is also a hunger for more education when it comes to getting to know your boobs, and CoppaCollege is perfectly placed to meet this need.”
Both initiatives continue Avon’s 25 year Breast Cancer Promise ‒ to ensure women throughout the UK are breast health aware.
The tool is the first initiative to fall under the brand’s global Pink Light Project, which seeks to reach 50 million women across the world to ensure they know the risks, know the signs and know where to get help when faced with breast cancer.