Reality star Olivia Attwood has issued a direct plea to women and girls: “You can’t die out of embarrassment.” The former Love Island contestant is urging everyone to overcome any awkwardness or fear and make breast checks a routine part of their health habits, warning that failure to act could have deadly consequences.
“Don’t be fearful, and definitely don’t be embarrassed,” Attwood said in an interview with the Press Association. “People that examine you for a living do this all day, every single day. You need to get out of your own head and realise that these checks could save your life.” Her blunt message forms the heart of a new campaign aimed at breaking down the stigma that stops young women from seeking help.
The 35-year-old’s advocacy is rooted in a deeply personal health scare. In 2020, she discovered “quite a sizeable lump” on her breast while checking herself at home. “I went and saw a breast specialist, and he said there was quite a sizeable lump there,” she recalled. The specialist advised having it removed and biopsied. “Luckily, it was benign,” Attwood said, explaining it was simply fatty tissue. “No one wants to find a lump. It’s not a nice thing. But it wasn’t cancerous – in my case everything was fine.” The experience taught her what to look for and how to examine herself properly – knowledge she believes many women lack. Her mother, who has also had fatty lumps removed from her breast, helped Attwood stay vigilant. “It’s helped me know what I’m looking for, and how to examine myself properly; I think a lot of women don’t actually know how to do this,” she said.
Attwood has now teamed up with Tombola and Breast Cancer Now for a campaign that encourages friends and families to talk openly about breast health. “The whole takeaway from this is community, friendship, and encouraging your friends to check their breasts,” she said. “Let’s take the embarrassment out of the conversation.” As part of the initiative, Attwood hosted Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle on her podcast Olivia’s House, released on Thursday. Their conversation touched on the fear many young women feel about checking themselves, and Coyle reflected on the death of her bandmate Sarah Harding, who died from breast cancer aged 39 in 2021. Harding revealed her diagnosis in August 2020 and faced it with “immense bravery,” Coyle has said. Proceeds from Harding’s final single went to the cancer treatment centre that cared for her.
How to check your breasts – and what to look for
New research from Tombola found that 38% of women admit to neglecting their health, and nearly half of UK women (45%) are not checking their breasts regularly. A reminder from a friend is a powerful prompt for women to check (42%), second only to advice from a GP or health professional (50%). The NHS recommends regular self-examination to become familiar with what is normal for your body. For those who have periods, the best time to check is about a week after your period ends. For those without periods, pick a consistent date each month.
When examining, you should look and feel for any of the following changes:
• A lump or swelling in the breast or armpit
• Changes in the size or shape of one or both breasts
• Changes to the skin, such as dimpling (resembling orange peel), redness, or a hot sensation
• Changes to the nipples – inversion, a rash, or discharge (if you are not breastfeeding)
• Persistent pain in the breast or armpit
• Skin irritation or texture changes
Attwood stressed that early detection can be life-saving. “It’s very important for women and girls to check for breast cancer,” she said, adding that she hopes to “spread awareness” about how to spot early signs.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, accounting for 15% of all new cases. Around 59,000 women are diagnosed annually – about 160 a day. Approximately one in seven women in the UK will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. While it is rare in those under 40 (4% of cases), around 2,500 people under 40 are diagnosed each year – roughly seven per day. It is a leading cause of cancer death in women under 50 and, for those aged 25–49, the most common cause of cancer death, representing nearly a third of all cancer deaths in that age group. Research also shows that many women feel their health concerns are not taken seriously, which can delay them seeking help.
Attwood’s own health journey extends beyond the lump scare. She has been open about being diagnosed with ADHD in her twenties, after struggling with anxiety and depression, and withdrew from I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2022 on medical grounds. But today her focus is squarely on breast health. “There’s loads of really good, tangible, bite-sized bits of information that I hope will resonate with a lot of different people,” she told the Press Association.
“You need to get out of your own head and realise that these checks could save your life. Let’s take the embarrassment out of the conversation and encourage your friends and your family members, and the females in your family to check their breasts.”
