Sheffield woman poses topless to encourage people to check for cancer

It was a daunting experience, admits Cassie D’Apice, posing topless for images to be displayed in Asda stores across the country. The Sheffield business analyst is one of seven people who have had their photographs taken for a drive encouraging shoppers to make checking their boobs, pecs and chests as normal as their weekly shops.

Cassie, like each of the ‘real self-checkers’, has experienced breast cancer and has shared her story and images to be displayed in-store as part of Asda’s Tickled Pink campaign which aims to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer charities Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel!

She was diagnosed in 2017 at the age of 34. “When I was given the news, I felt like I was watching them tell someone else. It took time to really sink in. Shocked doesn’t even come close to describing how I felt. I needed six rounds of chemotherapy, a single right-side mastectomy, and radiotherapy as well as follow up treatment.”

Cassie says she worked hard to rebuild her body confidence, which was impacted by many changes in a short space of time, as a result of the cancer.

Cassie D'Apice features in a campaign to encourage people to check for breast cancer. Photo: Tickled Pink/Breast Cancer Now

”Since then, I have committed myself to helping other women find theirs again. Being part of the real self-checkers and posing topless was daunting but I absolutely love the pictures and it was a fantastic experience. Knowing that other women that may have had breast cancer will look at the pictures and see someone who looks like them feels inspiring too. And I hope the campaign encourages everyone to check their breasts.”