Grantham breast cancer group pleased by the NHS and Morrisons raising awareness in underwear
It comes as QR codes and warning signs of breast and testicular cancer will soon be rolled out on the labels of underwear sold by the chain
A Lincolnshire woman is praising the idea of awareness messages for breast and testicular cancer going onto underwear labels at Morrisons stores.
The chain - which has branches across Lincolnshire - have teamed up with the NHS to sell men's boxer shorts and women's bras that have QR codes and warning signs of cancer on them.
Rachael Bradley - from Grantham - was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in 2020 and tells us more:
"I was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer the day of the first lockdown. I was very lucky and had a lumpectomy, 6 rounds of chemo, 20 rounds of radiotherapy and 18 rounds of hormone treatment, which at the time, was very daunting during a lockdown.
"There were no support groups available, only our NHS - but they were phenomenal and I am here today, clear and fully in remission because of them.
"I never expected it to happen but I was always very breast aware... I lost my mum in 2016 to breast cancer and having been somebody that always worried that I'd have an illness or something would happen to me - I'm just that kind of person and after losing mum I really, really drummed hard to my doctor that I wanted to have early breast screening.
"I wasn't even 40 at the time and they really dismissed me and said 'no, the chances are really low' and eventually they gave in. So I had my first mammogram at 40. Then, they picked up a a lump, deep in my tissue, a lump in my right breast, This was my second mammogram.
"I had no symptoms, couldn't feel anything but the mammogram picked it up and it had already spread to one of my lymph nodes. So I know the importance of advocating for yourself, and really keeping in communication with your doctor. I was very lucky that I did that."
Rachael added that this could make a difference for people:
"To have a label that is sewn into bras, bralettes, pants and men's underwear, it means it's there constantly.
"It's a constant reminder, you know, when you pull it out of the washing machine, when you put it on... it just gives you a reminder to have a a feel and I just think it's great.
"When it comes to health and checking yourself and actually saying, you know, I found a lump - It's really daunting. But to see a barcode that you could just scan with your phone... Even in boxer shorts, the fact someone can do it in their own time. They don't even have to tell anybody they're doing it. It's just fantastic."
Dame Cally Palmer, NHS England's national director for cancer, said:
"This is the first time the whole of the NHS has worked with a national supermarket brand to put health messaging on clothing, with the aim of encouraging thousands more people to be body aware, so they can spot new or unexplained changes that might be cancer symptoms early, and contact their GP practice for checks if concerned.
"Cancer survival is at an all-time high - survival for both breast and testicular cancers have improved significantly over the last 50 years and we're seeing more people than ever before diagnosed at an early stage - and this partnership with Morrisons is just one of the many ways we are ensuring people are aware of potential cancer symptoms.
"I want to urge everyone to be aware of their own bodies - please look out for lumps and bumps or anything else that is unusual for you - and get checked out early, it could save your life."
The items will be available in 240 shops around England in the coming months, with packaging containing a QR code linking to the NHS website for more detailed information on breast and testicular cancer.