Women are being encouraged to put their breast health first this weekend as a free East London community event aims to break down the stigma surrounding breast cancer and encourage more regular self-checks.

Touchy Feely, an organisation dedicated to improving breast health awareness among Black and Brown women, is hosting The Girls' Bathroom pop-up at UNLOCKED Shoreditch on Saturday 18 July from 12pm until 4pm.

The event, which is free to attend and open to everyone, including men, has been designed to create a safe and welcoming environment where conversations around breast health can happen without the discomfort many people associate with the topic.

The initiative comes as figures show that nearly half of women are not checking their breasts regularly, despite breast cancer being one of the most common cancers affecting women. According to the campaign, one in seven women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime, highlighting the importance of knowing what is normal for your body and recognising changes as early as possible.

The campaign has been driven by Touchy Feely founder Nellie Gbadebo, whose own experience with breast cancer inspired her to create a community focused on education, support and representation.

Gbadebo was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 26 while raising three children under the age of three. After initially being reassured that her symptoms were not a cause for concern, she later received a diagnosis that changed her life.

While reading cancer support leaflets following her diagnosis, she noticed there was very little representation of Black and Brown women, prompting her to begin sharing her own journey online. That community eventually grew into Touchy Feely, an organisation that encourages women to have honest conversations about breast health and feel empowered to prioritise regular checks.

Founder of Touchy Feely Nellie Gbadebo said:

‍"We're DEFO closing that gap! I got breast cancer at 26 years old WHILST pregnant. No one is an exception, let me be the reason why you prioritise breast health and checks girlies!"

The campaign also aims to raise awareness of disparities in breast cancer diagnoses among Black women.

According to information shared by the organisation, Black women are twice as likely as white women to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, a more aggressive form of the disease. Black African women are also 25 per cent more likely, and Black Caribbean women 22 per cent more likely, to receive a late-stage diagnosis.

Campaigners say these statistics highlight why improving awareness, encouraging earlier checks and creating more inclusive conversations around breast health are so important.

Visitors attending The Girls' Bathroom on Saturday can expect live DJs, an afternoon of Amapiano music and healthcare professionals who will be available throughout the event to answer questions and provide advice in a relaxed setting.

Rather than creating a traditional health campaign, Touchy Feely hopes the event will feel like a community gathering, making it easier for people to ask questions they may otherwise avoid and helping normalise conversations around breast health.

The campaign has already received praise online, with many applauding its message and encouraging women to regularly examine their breasts. One person commented:

"Yes ladies, check your boobs!!"

Another wrote:

"This is highly important and I'm obsessed with checking my breasts! I love this!"

The event also drew support from women who praised the organisation's efforts to increase representation and encourage earlier detection.

While breast cancer can affect anyone, campaigners hope initiatives like this will encourage more people to become familiar with their bodies, seek medical advice if they notice any changes and feel empowered to have conversations that could ultimately save lives.