New: A salon service…for your breasts

Where can a woman always count on a little friendly advice and support when it comes to her personal life? The hair salon, of course. So why not harness that trusting—and influential—relationship between stylist and client for the benefit of women’s health?

That’s the idea behind a new breast cancer awareness initiative called Be A Breast Friend. Launched by several health units in southwestern Ontario and the Canadian Cancer Society, Be A Breast Friend is asking stylists to take a few minutes this October to talk to their clients—especially women who are age 50 or older—about the importance of having a regular mammogram.

Stylists are being encouraged to sign up online to champion the project, and a bunch of great resources are available to them. For example, the "Stylists Saves Lives, Ask Me How" decal can be displayed by a chair or workstation. Then there’s the Canadian Cancer Society’s "Thingamaboob," a cleverly designed key chain that doubles as an eductional tool (and conversation starter!). Each pink bead represents a lump—the small ones are the size picked up using mammography and the large ones represent the lumps caught by women doing a breast self-exam. The message is clear… The technology will catch any changes to the breasts early, saving lives. Lastly, the salon can make Squeeze magazine, a free publication about breast cancer available to clients throughout Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Tell your stylist about the initiative so she can help her clients feel great—both inside and out.

To learn more about events during Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, visit besthealthmag.ca/breastcancer.

To read the about living with breast cancer, read Jordan’s Story on our blog.

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