Bras and boxers sold at Morrisons get breast and testicular cancer warning sign labels
The NHS is working with Morrisons to put health warnings in the supermarket’s underwear about potential warnings of breast and testicular cancer
Labels in the Nutmeg brand, initially in boxer shorts and crop-top bras, will offer advice on what to look for.
The products will be available in 240 shops around England in the coming months.
Its packaging will also contain a QR code linking to the NHS website for more detailed information on breast and testicular cancer.
Every year, around 55,400 Brits are diagnosed with breast cancer — the most common type of the disease — while 2,300 men are told they have testicular cancer.
Labels in the Nutmeg brand, initially in boxer shorts and crop-top bras, will offer advice on what to look for. The products will be available in 240 shops around England in the coming months
Morrisons Nutmeg Boxers Labels shown with NHS messaging
Dame Cally Palmer, NHS England’s national director for cancer, said: ‘This is the first time the whole of the NHS has worked with a national supermarket brand to put health messaging on clothing.’
She hopes it will encourage thousands more people to be ‘body aware’ so that they can spot new or unexplained changes that might be cancer symptoms.
Dame Cally said: ‘Cancer survival is at an all-time high.
‘Survival for both breast and testicular cancers have improved significantly over the last 50 years and we’re seeing more people than ever before diagnosed at an early stage.
‘This partnership with Morrisons is just one of the many ways we are ensuring people are aware of potential cancer symptoms.
‘I want to urge everyone to be aware of their own bodies — please look out for lumps and bumps or anything else that is unusual for you — and get checked out early, it could save your life.’
A lump or area of thickened tissue is usually the first sign of breast cancer, which around one in seven woman are diagnosed with in their lifetime. Men can also be affected, with around 400 affected each year.
A change in the size or shape of one or both breasts, discharge from the nipples, a lump or swelling in the armpits, dimpling on the skin of the breast and a rash around the nipple are all tell-tale signs of the disease.
Most cases are among women aged 50 and over. Age, a family history of breast cancer and being overweight are known risk factors.
At least nine in 10 women survive for at least five years if the cancer is spotted in stage one or two. But this figure falls dramatically to 25 per cent among patients diagnosed with stage four.
Meanwhile, testicular cancer is one of the least common caners in the UK, accounting of just one per cent of all cancers that occur in men. It usually affects those aged 15 to 49.
A painless swelling, lump or change in the shape or texture of the testicles are typical symptoms.
Having undescended testicles and a family history of the cancer are risk factors.
Nine in 10 men diagnosed with any stage of testicular cancer survive for 10 years or more, meaning it has one of the best outlooks of all cancers.
Morrisons Nutmeg Boxers Labels shown with NHS messaging
Every year, around 55,400 Brits are diagnosed with breast cancer — the most common type of the disease — while 2,300 men are told they have testicular cancer
Testicular and breast cancer survivors, Natalie Robinson, Edward Solly, Shannon Alexandra and Kreena Dhiman holding the new Nutmeg underwear with NHS messaging
Cancer survivors, Natalie Robinson, Shannon Alexandra, Kreena Dhiman and Edward Solly wear Morrisons Nutmeg underwear
Shannon Alexandra, from Derbyshire, who had a potentially cancerous lump removed from her breast in recent years, scans Morrisons Nutmeg underwear with vital NHS messaging
Treatment for both types of cancer usually includes a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Natalie Robinson, from Essex, is going through cancer treatment and has been pictured as part of Morrisons’ campaign.
The 35-year-old said: ‘I’m passionate about raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and supporting this amazing partnership from the NHS and Morrisons seemed like the perfect opportunity.
‘The labels carry such a vital message and I want to help encourage as many people as possible to contact their GP practice if they see any unusual changes to their breasts, it could save their life.’
Edward Solly, 35, a cancer survivor from Kent, is also backing the campaign.
He said: ‘Boxers that aren’t just comfy and look great, but also highlight a really important health message to ensure we are all checking our bodies.’
He added: ‘I know that a daily reminder to be body aware really could save your life … who knew a pair of undies could hold so much power?
‘Getting diagnosed early really can make all the difference, so remember, if something in your body doesn’t feel right, contact your GP.’