Jessie J’s diagnosis is likely to inspire thousands of woman to check their own breasts for key changes, and her going public could save lives by catching the disease early
Singer Jessie J revealing she has breast cancer is likely to trigger a rush of people checking whether they have any early signs of the disease.
Many will be rushing to check NHS guidance on how to check breasts for changes that may be nothing but could be something more sinister. The British singer, 37, said that the condition had been caught ‘early’, telling her fans in an emotional video on Instagram: “Cancer sucks in any form but I’m holding onto the word early.”
Her huge fanbase means the announcement could save lives in encouraging people to check their chests for changes and get diagnosed earlier.
The NHS says checking your breasts or chest regularly helps you learn what looks and feels normal and says people should try to check once a month. It states that symptoms to look and feel for when checking your breasts or chest include:
- a lump or swelling in your breast, chest or armpit
- a change in the skin of your breast, such as dimpling (it may look like orange peel) or redness, which may be harder to see on black or brown skin
- a change in size or shape of 1 or both breasts, or either side of your chest – it’s common for breasts to be different sizes, but check for any changes that are not normal for you
- nipple discharge (if you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding), which may have blood in it
- a change in the shape or look of your nipple, such as it turning inwards (inverted nipple) or a rash on it (it may look like eczema)
- sores or ulcers on your chest
The singer, 37, whose hits include Price Tag admitted she had been struggling to process the news while carrying on with a busy work schedule.
The Londoner is promoting her new song No Secrets after a four-year hiatus from the music industry during which she had her son Sky, aged two, with basketball star Chanan Colman.
The NHS says that one complication of being breast aware is that they can look and feel different at different points in a woman’s menstrual cycle. They can also change when a new mum is breast feeding and when someone goes through the menopause.
When checking breasts or chest the NHS advises that you do the following
- Look at your breasts or chest in a mirror to look for any changes. Start with your arms by your sides and then raise them.
- Feel around each breast or side of your chest in a circular motion all the way up to your collarbone and under each armpit. Use a mix of light and firmer pressure. Do not press so hard it hurts.
- Feel around and over each nipple.
- You may find it easier to feel your breasts or chest in the shower or lying down.
The singer added in her Instagram video: “I also know how much sharing in the past has helped me with other people giving me their love and support and also their own stories. I’m an open book. It breaks my heart that so many people are going through so much similar and worse – that’s the bit that kills me.”