Sophie Kirby
Health and Services Manager
Charity CoppaFeel! is on a mission to prevent the late diagnosis of breast cancer in younger people through awareness and education.
In the UK, one in seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lives.1
The national screening programme starts from age 50 for anyone registered with a GP as female. However, more than half of new breast cancers occur in people outside the national screening age.2 Rates are increasing, particularly in younger people, with a 75% increase in new breast cancer diagnoses in people aged 25-29 since 2001.3
Rates are increasing, particularly in younger people, with a 75% increase in new breast cancer diagnoses in people aged 25-29 since 2001.
Younger people’s awareness
Despite this, many younger people don’t know that breast cancer can affect them or what the signs are, with CoppaFeel!’s research showing that only one in four 18–35-year-olds check their chests monthly.4
Many younger people don’t feel confident in the signs to be aware of or what their ‘normal’ is. The lack of a screening programme under the age of 50 makes them think that their risk of breast cancer is low.5
That’s why, as the UK’s only youth-focused breast cancer awareness charity, CoppaFeel!’s mission is to share vital awareness of the signs of breast cancer, encourage monthly chest checking habits and empower people to speak to their GP if they notice a chest change.
Advocating for your health
Both knowledge and confidence are important for checking monthly, knowing your normal and advocating for your health. However, when visiting the GP with symptoms, many young people are dismissed, being considered too young to have breast cancer.6
To support you in advocating for your health, we have tips and advice on going to the GP. Helping make sure you, or the young people in your life, feel prepared, empowered and informed before and during your appointment.
For more information about how to check your chest, visit our tool, The Self-Checkout: self-checkout.coppafeel.org/.
You can also get tips for your GP visit here: https://coppafeel.org/advice-for-going-to-the-gp/.
[1] Cancer Research UK. Breast cancer statistics.
[2] NHS England. (2024). Breast Screening Programme, England, 2022-23.
[3] CoppaFeel! Analysis of NHS latest cancer incidence data.
[4] CoppaFeel! & x 7stars research. (2024).
[5] Hindmarch, S. et al. (2023). “I don’t know what I’m feeling for”: young women’s beliefs about breast cancer risk and experiences of breast awareness. BMC Women’s Health.
[6] CoppaFeel! survey (2025)
