Selfless Selfies: Introducing #CHECKYOURSELFIE
The Keep A Breast Foundation Launches their new Global Campaign October 2014
A breast cancer self-check education and awareness social campaign for young people
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Love them, loathe them, "selfies" are here to stay, and youth-focused breast cancer awareness foundation, Keep A Breast (KAB) 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 KAB partners with their global affiliates, to ask people from across the world to pledge their commitment to the campaign by downloading their mobile app and posting a #CHECKYOURSELFIE image to social media.
#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, KAB 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 selfie, placing three fingers to their breast, symbolizing their monthly commitment to self-check. The photo-pledges - accompanied by the caption #CHECKYOURSELFIE - will be posted on social media and feed into KAB's educational website, checkyourselfie.org.
"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 KAB, "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 Check Yourself! App in 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 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 and schedules an automatic monthly reminder at the same time. 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 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 (Young Survival Coalition). When breast cancer is detected early (in the localized stage) the 5-year survival rate is 98% (National Cancer Institute). KAB 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 2000, KAB has worked with young people to remove the shame associated with breasts and breast cancer health. Through various initiatives KAB has opened up the dialog about breast cancer, and has proven to be a doorway to breast self-awareness and education. KAB has grown into the leading global youth-based breast cancer prevention organization, with global affiliates in Japan, Canada, France, UK and Chile.
Visit http://checkyourselfie.org to learn how to pledge to do a self-check and download the free app.
@keepabreast
Video - http://youtu.be/lhrTyG1Kiuo
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140930/149459
SOURCE The Keep A Breast Foundation
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