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Hundreds of secondary school students will be getting what could be a life-saving lesson this week from a young woman living with breast cancer who wants to see awareness of the disease made part of the curriculum.
Kris Hallenga – the founder of a breast cancer awareness charity – and her team of “Boobettes” are special guests at JCG’s school assembly on Friday.
Kris said: “Our Boobette presentation is all about engaging young people in a discussion about breast awareness. The Boobettes are ladies between 18-35 years old who have been affected by breast cancer personally or through a close friend or relative.
“They share their experiences in order to highlight that young people also need to be aware of breast cancer and more importantly their own bodies. We explain the signs and symptoms, give guidance around self-checking and tell them how CoppaFeel! can help to remind them to start checking their boobs today.”
Kris was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago at the age of 23 and she’s been living with it ever since.
She set up the website coppafeel.org with her twin sister Maren shortly after her diagnosis and is now on a mission to make sure young people everywhere know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, check themselves regularly and go to see their doctor if something doesn’t feel right.
The cancer has since spread to her pelvis, liver and hips and she also has a tumour in her brain but she juggles her treatment with her work helping make sure others spot the signs early.
“I won’t lie by saying it is a breeze, however I am responding well to treatment and therefore I am able to fit my treatment in and around my work. I have so many days a month I have to dedicate to having treatment and attending appointments, but I spend the rest of my time with my CEO hat on running to meetings, sending emails and talking boobs. There is a perception out there that people only survive or suffer from cancer; I don’t think this is the case, there are many others like me who are simply living with the disease.”
Half of cancers diagnosed today could be prevented with a change of lifestyle and Kris, who’s a Pride of Britain award winner, and her charity are now behind the #RETHINKCANCER campaign and are trying to make cancer awareness education compulsory in schools.
During her visit to the Island, which has been organised by the JCG Foundation, she will be meeting with the Island’s new head of Education to see whether cancer awareness can become a lesson in schools here in Jersey.
JCG Foundation Director Leanda Guy said: “We are very pleased that we will be meeting with Justin Donovan, the new Head of Education to investigate getting the #rethinkcancer.com campaign on the Jersey curriculum going forward.”
Kris will be speaking at a special event at the Royal Yacht Hotel tomorrow night and will be back at the hotel for a coffee morning on Saturday giving advice to other young Islanders on how to be savvy about breast cancer.
One in 2000 people have a chance of developing breast cancer before the age of 30.
Kris said: “Being told you have cancer is simply horrible and nothing can prepare you for that news. But your diagnosis doesn’t have to define you. Since being diagnosed, I have had so many amazing experiences, met so many lovely people and made so many memories that I may never had done without being told I had cancer. In a strange way it gave me some direction, leading me to set up CoppaFeel! and find my purpose.
Some of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer you need to be on the lookout for are:
Changes in texture like puckering or dimpling;
Lumps and thickening;
Nipple discharge;
Nipple inversion and changes in direction;
Swelling in your armpit or around your collarbone;
Constant pain in your breast or armpit;
Changes in size and shape;
Rashes or crushing of the nipple or surrounding area.
Anyone wanting to go along to either the evening event on tomorrow from 6 pm until 8 pm at the Royal Yacht or the coffee morning at the hotel on Saturday 27 September from 11am until 1 pm can register on event brite or email l.guy@jcg.sch.je
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