Love them, loathe them, “selfies” are here to stay, and youth-focused breast cancer awareness foundation, Keep A Breast has found a unique way to utilize this prevalent trend as a way to communicate with young people about the importance of early detection through the global initiative, #CHECKYOURSELFIE. This October The Keep A Breast Foundation partners with their global affiliates, to ask people from across the world to pledge their commitment to the #CHECKYOURSELFIE campaign by downloading their mobile app and posting a #CHECKYOURSELFIE image to social media.

Young adults and teens increasingly view and experience the world through their phones and have fully embraced selfie culture. Over 1 million selfies are snapped every day, and make up 30% of the photos taken by people between the ages of 18-24. In response to this recent social paradigm shift, Keep A Breast is using a mobile app and social media initiative that will seamlessly integrate breast cancer awareness into their every day lives.

#CHECKYOURSELFIE

Keep A Breast believes that the best way to spark the attention of young people and spread the message of a monthly self-check is through social media. While selfies are an increasing activity they are often shunned as “self indulgent” and “narcissistic.” Through the #CHECKYOURSELFIE campaign, The Keep A Breast Foundation is asking people to put the selfie to good use — to find the time to be not “self indulgent,” but “self aware” when it comes to knowing your body and your breasts. Participants are asked to post a clothed photo of themselves, placing three fingers to their breast, symbolizing their monthly commitment to self-check (see Wonderland Honolulu designer, Jess Shedlock, image below, right). The photo-pledges – accompanied by the caption #CHECKYOURSELFIE – will be posted on social media and feed into KAB’s educational website, checkyourselfie.org (launching October 1).

“At Keep A Breast, we want young people to understand and be educated that breast cancer under 40 is a reality,” says Shaney jo Darden, Founder of Keep A Breast, “It can happen to anyone, not just your mom or grandmother. It’s so important to know what is ‘normal’ for you and your body, and checking yourself is the first way to becoming your own health advocate.”

Check Yourself! App

The foundation has re-launched the Keep A Breast Check Yourself! App which is now available in four languages; English, Spanish, French and Japanese. It is available as a free download on iOS and Android mobile and tablet devices via the Apple App Store and Google Play store. The Keep A Breast Foundation Check Yourself! app helps

you to establish your own routine and approach to the breast self-check. It teaches you the best ways to check your boobies (pictured above) and schedules an automatic monthly reminder at the same time. With 40% of diagnosed breast cancers being self-detected (according to the John Hopkins Medical Center), establishing what is “normal” for you is an important step to knowing your body. Knowledge is Power. The website checkyourselfie.org will also feature a video and serve as an interactive and infographic-based educational tool for the campaign.

Why it’s important

Each year, approximately 70 thousand men (hey guys, we’re talking to you too) and women aged between 15 to 39 are diagnosed with cancer in the US and breast cancer is the most common cancer for women in this age group, according to the Young Survival Coalition.

The team at Keep A Breast is a proud advocate of the self-check, as they so commonly come in contact with young women who have found their own lumps (both benign and malignant) “by accident.” Over Summer 2014, Keep A Breast surveyed 4,554 young music festival attendees (85% Female and 15% male) on the Vans Warped Tour and found that when asked if they had a breast health routine in place, 51% said they had, “Nothing.”

When breast cancer is detected early (in the localized stage) the 5-year survival rate is 98%, according to the National Cancer Institute. The Keep A Breast Foundation believes that through a monthly routine of self-checks more people are likely to detect changes in their bodies quickly, will seek medical advice and potentially detect cancer early.

About The Keep A Breast Foundation:

The Keep A Breast Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to empower young people around the world with breast health education and support.

Since its inception in 2000, KAB has worked with young people to remove the shame associated with breasts and breast cancer health. Through various initiatives such as breast cast art exhibitions, the “Non Toxic Revolution” and “I love boobies!” campaign, KAB has opened up the dialog about breast cancer, and has proven to be a doorway to breast self-awareness and education.

Keep A Breast has grown into the leading global youth-based breast cancer prevention organization, with global affiliates in Japan, Canada, France, UK and Chile. Constantly pushing the boundaries of the pink ribbon status quo, Keep A Breast has always encouraged young people to love their boobies, get to know their bodies and be aware of changes.

Visit http://checkyourselfie.org to learn how to pledge to do a self-check, download the free app, and/or sign-up for monthly reminders.

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Image courtesy Keep A Breast Foundation