Caitlin's Boob Blog: May 2015

Tuesday, 26 May 2015

'Moobs'

Do you have moobs? Or are you in denial? Guess what - all guys have them!

'Moobs', aka 'man boobs', can be a touchy subject amongst the male community. In fact, probably just as sensitive as the topic of boobs are amongst women!

But, here on this blog, I'm trying to make that topic a little easier to talk about - why be ashamed or embarrassed about what they look like/what size they are/the problems that can come with them? Don't be! We're all in the same booby-boat after all. Lets be each other's boob-friend and boob-adviser.

But guys, I'm addressing you specifically in this blog. I'm not picking on you, but it's time to quit it - you have boobs too! They are, most of the time, significantly smaller and less shapely. And, luckily for you guys, they tend to have less of a life of their own - no sports bra for you whilst on your morning jog! However, you need start being more aware and cautious of what comes with the boob-lifestyle.

I'm sure you're all clued up on the dangers of cancer in general, but specifically testicular cancer in men. You know to check your trouser snakes regularly (trouser snake, what a great term!). Well, it's the same for us ladies - downstairs AND upstairs. Knowing your body means recognising an abnormality, and in turn it can mean saving your life.

So why should your 'man-boobs' be any different?

I think a lot of men don't like to think of themselves with 'boobs', perhaps because they are predominantly a female trait (duh!). So are they protecting their 'masculinity'? Or are they conscious of their weight? Does having 'moobs' make you fat? No no no!

Whatever size you are, it does not rule out the possibility of cancer. Does having a below average penis size mean you can't be affected by testicular cancer? No! Boob size is no different.

Breast cancer campaigns are, quite rightly, mainly aimed at women. Specifically, CoppaFeel! try and encourage young women to learn about self-checking, amongst the other important messages they spread. However, it is slowly coming to the publics attention that it is not just women affected. More and more charities are encouraging men to be aware of what breast cancer is, and what it means. 'Cause guys, you are not immune to this.

As I'd ask every woman, I'd now ask every man to start checking themselves on a regular basis. If you have routine for your downstairs area, incorporate the upstairs! Remember, you're not looking for anything - you just need to know your body. All the natural lumps and bumps, the shape, the textures. If there's anything unusual, or something that wasn't there before, you should make an appointment with your doctor.

Another stereotype associated with men, is that they don't like going to the doctor. Is it a sign of weakness? I don't think so. I think it's a sign of clear thinking, of level headedness, and of a sensible mind. Why not bother? It could save your life after all. No-one can think of you as weak or stupid for that.

If you're unsure of what to do when checking yourself, check out the links below. Even if they seem aimed towards women, they apply to you too! Of course, it is far more common and far more likely to affect women, but it doesn't mean you should consider yourself unaffected - check yourself and rule yourself out, guys.
And, if you think you're really rubbish at that sort of thing, get your girlfriend, wife, friend, sister to do it for you! We don't care how you do it, just as long as you do!

Check out these links for tips and info:

http://coppafeel.org/boob-check/

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Cancer-of-the-breast-male/Pages/Introduction.aspx

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-in-men/understanding-cancer/mens-breasts.html

http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/video/how-to-check-yourself/how-to-check-your-breasts/

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/type/rare-cancers/rare-cancers-name/breast-cancer-in-men

https://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-information/about-breast-cancer/men-breast-cancer

Thanks for reading, until next time,

Caitlin xxx

Sunday, 24 May 2015

Boobs are back in Blighty

Hello everyone!

Sorry I've been absent for a couple of weeks, I've been getting used to being back in the UK!

For those of you who didn't know, I've been travelling in Australia for two months, and coming back to England shook me up a bit - jet lag is a cruel mistress, and I just miss Australia very much! :(

However, I am extremely happy to see my family and friends, and to be back blogging for you guys!

Now, I can't promise these blogs will be regular over the summer. I am going off on another gap year adventure in the USA! From June 14th I will be a music counsellor for a summer camp in Maryland for two months; I will try and blog on my days off/whilst travelling afterwards, but you might not see me for a while, and I can only apologise in advance for that. Sorry!

But the good news for the blog is, after I return I will be moving to Bristol permanently, where I will be running the Uni Boob Team for CoppaFeel! And (hopefully!), I will get a team of eager and excited BIMM Bristol students together to help raise awareness for this awesome charity.

BIMM's status in the music industry is on the up, after artists like George Ezra (BIMM Bristol) and James Bay (BIMM Brighton) have been smashing the charts with 'Budapest' and 'Hold Back The River'. So I'm hoping to get some music events up and running, all in the aid of CoppaFeel! - but for that we'll have to wait and see!

CoppaFeel! is already using music in a great way to spread their important messages, not least with 'FestiFeel'. I'd been wanting to go to CoppaFeel!'s 'FestiFeel' for a couple of years, and finally this year I am able to! It may be my official first weekend at university, but I've already bought my ticket for the event, and I can't wait to be in London on October 10th to see some awesome acts all in aid of CoppaFeel!

If you're interested in going to the event, or just want to know what it's all about, click here: https://dice.fm/festifeel-10-oct

In preparation for my work as UBT Team Leader at BIMM Bristol next year, I've had to set up a couple of social media accounts. I know every company/group/celebrity has them now, but I promise you ours won't be full of nonsense! Interesting and important events will be announced on there, as well information about how you could get involved with CoppaFeel!. I'll also be posting links to my blog posts on there, so it'll be an easier way to know when I've written something!

If you'd LIKE (!) to 'Like' our Facebook Page, please follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/UBTBIMM

And our newly set up Twitter Page is here: https://twitter.com/UBTBIMMBristol (it will get more lively as the year goes on, I promise!).

I think that's about all I had for you today, sorry it was a short and random one!

Posts should be more regular whilst I'm in the UK, and I have an interesting topic to discuss very very soon (ooh intriguing!).

Hope you're all well, and remember to always copp a feel!

Caitlin xxx

Saturday, 2 May 2015

A Couple of Things...

Hey guys and gals!

Today I'm filling you in on TWO things. First, 'The C Word':

"But Caitlin, we've read your blog before, we know what the 'c word' means" ah HA! Well, okay, I would hope you do, but what I'm actually referring to is a TV programme of the same name.

Airing on BBC1 at 8:30PM on Sunday 3rd May, 'The C Word' is the real life story of Lisa Lynch who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 28. She wrote a blog about her cancer journey, the ups and downs and everything in between. It's funny, witty, and most definitely real.

Before she died, Lisa was involved with the making of the programme, including asking Sheridan Smith to play the role of herself, Lisa. Sheridan is, in my opinion, one of Britain's greatest and most versatile actresses, so I know she would have given it everything she had; all her passion and feeling.

Sheridan is now a patron for CoppaFeel! since meeting Kris Hallenga, our founder. Kris can also be seen in 'The C Word' playing herself - she was Lisa's friend and had found comfort in her blogs when she was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 23. Kris wrote a blogpost about being in the show, and what it means to her. If you'd like to read it, click this link and scroll down: http://boobchiefkris.tumblr.com

It would mean a lot to me personally if everyone could tune in to BBC1 at 8:30PM on Sunday. The show will be an eye-opener, a tear-jerker, but it most importantly carries a lot of serious messages. I think there will be a lot we can learn from Lisa's story, the first step is watching the programme.

This article about 'The C Word' includes sneek peek videos and some extra information: http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/news/celebrity/2015/05/01/sheridan-smith-the-c-word-bbc1-tv-show-news

The second thing I wanted to mention was an event that is happening, ALSO on Sunday 3rd May! It's the Liverpool 10K Run!

Now, I'm not much of a runner myself (I tend to go as red as a tomato!), but neither is our founder Kris, yet she's still taking part! I say this with confidence, as she has admitted to hating running, and is a member of the 'Unlikely Runners Club' which she created with her friend.

Even so, Kris always has been, and always will be, a giver. And, despite having and receiving ongoing treatment for cancer, she will be running the 10K course in Liverpool on Sunday. She hasn't even completed it yet and I'm proud of her!

Of course, she's running on behalf of CoppeFeel!, alongside her friend Georgette and CoppaFeel! patron Newton Faulkner. If I could, I'd love to go and cheer her on, but I can't - if any of you are in Liverpool on running day, go along and encourage them! They'll be the ones with the giant boobs strapped to their backs!

What we can all do, and what I have already done, is donate. Any spare pennies you have would be hugely appreciated. I know there are a lot of deserving charities out there, all hoping to receive money from kind and generous members of the public. My only case is, I think CoppaFeel! is very important. Spreading awareness and self-checking is life-changing. Knowing your body could be what saves your life. So any money you can spare would be put to great use by CoppaFeel!. If you'd like to donate, please follow this link: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=Krisdoesrunning

or text 'KRIS' to 70300 to donate £5.

If you can't donate, don't worry! Sharing the donation page or this blog would also be helpful, and we might reach someone else that is able to donate. Sharing is, after all, still caring!

Thanks again for reading - don't forget to tune in 'The C Word' on BBC1, and have a look at Kris's 10K sponsorship page.

Remember, always try to 'coppafeel'!