Breast Cancer Now’s nursing team has been advising the research team at EastEnders over the last few months, to make sure that Sam Mitchell’s breast cancer storyline, which has been playing out since the character returned to Albert Square in early December, is portrayed sensitively and accurately.
Viewers of the popular BBC soap will have recently seen Sam confiding her concerns with her loved ones after finding a lump in her breast. On their advice, Sam is encouraged to visit her doctor, and will later receive a breast cancer diagnosis.
Our help advising the EastEnders BBC team has seen our nurses feeding into scripts and signposting the researchers to our health information, so that what plays out in Walford mirrors a real-life experience of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment as closely as possible. It’s really important to us that the episodes offer an authentic portrayal of what happens when you have a breast lump checked and then removed, as well as the emotions that Sam may be feeling at all stages of this story, but it's important to remember that this is Sam’s story, and every story is different.
Having this important storyline playing out on a primetime soap and generating lots of conversations in the media and social channels also offers a huge opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of breast checking, knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and getting any new or unusual changes checked by a GP.
Checking your breasts only takes a few minutes and there's no right way to check, as long as you do it regularly. It’s important to check your whole breast area, your armpits and up to your collarbone (upper chest) for changes. At Breast Cancer Now, we say, it’s as simple as TLC: Touch Look Check.
Sam’s experience will resonate with thousands of EastEnders viewers. We’ve drawn on our insights and extensive expertise supporting people affected by breast cancer to help guide this storyline and ensure it's portrayed authentically. We know that the earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of successful treatment and, ultimately, of lives being saved. As such, EastEnders is delivering a vital health message by raising awareness of the importance of breast checking, knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and getting any new or unusual breast changes checked by a GP.
Sally Kum, associate director of nursing and health information at Breast Cancer Now
To find out more about breast checking and signs and symptoms of breast cancer, visit breastcancernow.org/checking. And if you have any questions, you can speak to our expert nurses on Breast Cancer Now’s free, confidential helpline or email Ask our Nurses.