Breast cancer will affect you or at least one woman (or man) you know in your lifetime. When caught early and in localised stages the 5-year survival rate is 99%, so it is all the more important to spread awareness about spotting signs and symptoms.
We generally relate breast cancer to older women, with mammograms starting as women enter their late 40’s early 50’s when breast tissue is less dense and cancer can be detected. In the UK, 56,000 cases (2.2million worldwide) are diagnosed every year, that’s 150 a day! But did you know that 2,500 people in the UK under the age of 40 are diagnosed each year, usually when women notice a lump or a change, and that’s why checking your breasts regularly is so important.
To coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness month, I’d love to see golf clubs, counties and national golf teams broadcast the importance of the signs of breast cancer. Education for the younger generations will be the difference between life and death and golf can be the platform to really spread this message.
The amazing charity Coppafeel is just one charity giving breast cancer awareness talks to young women across the UK. Their founder Kristen Halenga was only 23 when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 incurable cancer. Now the “Boobettes” travel the UK telling her story and their own (they are all cancer survivors or sufferers). If you work with young women in golf, please get in touch with Coppafeel and request a Boobettes visit to talk to your women and girls’ sections.
Corrine Binks began the CoppaFeel Cup when she was diagnosed with stage 2 Breast Cancer in 2020
(Image credit: GMAC snaps and Corrine Binks)
CoppaFeel Cup Golf Days
Corrine Binks, known as the Golfing Princess, was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2020. Two weeks after her initial diagnosis she underwent a mastectomy, later opting for an elective second mastectomy and finishing her final radiation treatment on her birthday. It was a whirlwind but Binks was lucky. She found the cancer early.
Binks, who organises the annual CoppaFeel Cup at Crookhill Park in Doncaster is adamant that golf is the perfect vehicle to help raise awareness. Initially only setting out to organise the day in her first year of diagnosis, she heads into her 5th year in 2025, not only cancer free but on a mission. Her cancer was found really early and she wants to spread the word that knowing the signs and early diagnosis can save your life. Having now raised over £16,000 for charity Binks is still…
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