Singer Jessie J has revealed on Instagram that she is now cancer-free after a successful surgery.
“And…I AM OK,” she wrote in the caption of a new video of her son. She went on, “Results = I have NO cancer spread 😭😭😭 Happy tears are real 😭😭😭😭😭😭 Thank YOU for the prayers, the love, the well wishes, the joy and all the positive energy. 🥹.”
Jessie J's update comes after she took to Instagram last month to share that she had been diagnosed with early breast cancer.
"Cancer sucks in any form, but I'm holding on to the word 'early'," she said in a video on her Instagram. She then joked, “It's a very dramatic way to get a boob job.” The singer revealed that she was planning on having surgery after Summertime Ball. She threw in another joke: "I will come back with massive tits and more music."
Instagram content
In the caption, she took a more serious tone. “All jokes aside (You know it’s one of the ways I get through hard times) This last 2 months have been so amazing, and having this go on along side it on the sideline’s has given me the most incredible perspective. BUT… Your girl needs a hug. 🫂🫀🔋”
According to Breast Cancer UK, there 56,000 new cases of breast cancer every year — in fact, it is the most common cancer in the world, with roughly 12% of all cancers being female breast cancer.
We're all aware that we should check for breast cancer each month. But, how many of us actually do it? As it turns out, despite growing awareness, a lot of us still haven't incorporated breast cancer checks into our routines. According to new research from MYA, 56% of people do not check their breasts. And although breast cancer can, in rare cases, affect men, only 8% regularly check their pecks.
“It’s so important that people become comfortable with checking their breasts," noted MYA's Amy Scott. “If you aren’t familiar with how your breasts look and feel, then you may not know when something has changed and when it needs to be checked out professionally. It’s important to get to know your breasts to familiarise yourself if something was to change or feel irregular.”
As Scott notes, even when we do check our breasts, a lot of us don't really know what we're looking for. A shocking six million women declared they don’t know how to check their breasts for cancer and a staggering 80% of women are unclear on what could increase their risk of breast cancer, according to Bupa Health Clinics.
It may seem scary, but getting to know our bodies regularly is the best way to keep on top of any changes and get them checked out if necessary.
When to check your boobs
Try and choose the same time every month to check them – after your period is best – so you can get to know what's normal for you.
What to feel for when checking your boobs:
- It is important to get to now the normal rhythm of your boobs so you will detect anything abnormal quickly.
- Feel for irregular lumps (which can be relatively small) that are firm and solid.
What does a breast lump feel like?
A doctor will be able to properly examine you but a cancerous lump may feel quite rounded, soft, and tender. It may also feel quite be painful.
Signs and symptoms of breast cancer to look out for
Aside from a lump, there are seven other signs that we should be looking out for (all of which are listed below) – if you spot any of these, it's best to see your doctor. Most of the time, there'll be another explanation for your symptom, but early detection is essential when it comes to treating breast cancer.
First, look at your breasts and check if you can notice anything visually. Lift your arms in the air to check underneath your armpits, too. Then, use the flat part of your fingers to feel and press across your breasts, armpit, collarbone and nipples. If you get into the habit of doing this regularly, you'll quickly get to know what's normal for you.
Remember, the sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the more likely treatment will be successful. Which is why it’s so important that make note of any changes or concerns and get them checked out with our GP.
Here's a reminder of what out to look for and how to check for breast cancer according to the experts…
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- a new lump or area that feels thicker than the rest of the breast
- a change in the look, feel or texture of your skin, such as puckering or dimpling
- redness or a rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin on or around the nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
- a discharge of fluid from either nipples
- pain in your breast or armpit that remains constant
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits or around your collarbone
How to check large boobs
It goes without saying that all boobs are important, but it's fair to say that bigger boobs often get left out of the conversation when it comes to the visuals around checking for lumps. That's why Dr Sara Kayat's tutorial on This Morning has had such a huge response after she demonstrated how to check for lumps on a patient with larger boobs.
“If you have got larger breasts, it's important to lift up the breasts as well and look underneath the breasts,” Dr Sara said, while co-host Alison Hammond responded: “this is me. I'm so glad you've used somebody who's got larger breasts.”
Addressing the issue, Dr Sara said: “this is it, it's so important, because often you just see these small breasts and it's easier with smaller breasts, but it's so important to make sure that everyone is included, absolutely.” She continued saying: “when we're feeling the breasts, we can do it standing up – lots of people like to do it in the shower, it's just a bit easier that way – but if you do have larger breasts, sometimes it's easier to do it lying down at about 30 degrees. So with a couple of cushions on your bed. You want to push the tissue [quite hard] against the rib cage and feel if there's a lump there.”
X content
How to check your breasts for lumps video
What do I do if I notice these changes?
Obviously if you notice anything unusual or a new lump, book yourself in to see your doctor as soon as possible.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2025
If you want to get involved with Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2025, there are a few ways you can contribute. As always, it is observed in October but you can already start thinking about the activities and fundraisers you want to get involved in now and sign up to raise money here. You can even create your own fundraising campaign — simply report it here.
