Well, imagine that group of friends and that atmosphere, but add a layer of informative discussion on how to check for lumps, what breast implants are like, and the best ways for you and your partner to really examine your boobs.
Heike Malakoff, the Founder and Executive Director of Check Your Boobies, is Maxim Hygiene’s Fierce Woman of the Month for October. We love her vision of demystifying women’s relationships with their breasts, which is oh so similar to our vision of educating women about their periods and alternative organic and natural tampons and pads that will keep them feeling fresher and healthier when it comes to their hygiene.
The goal of Check Your Boobies is to allow women to see their breasts as breasts only. Conversations around breasts and breast self exams (BSEs) remove the taboo surrounding the concepts of sex and cancer, empowering women to take charge of their own health.
“We want to help them know their body, know their breasts and demystify the breast so that they are not afraid or embarrassed to touch them and talk about them, and take action if they need to,” states the website.
The importance of knowing your breasts and conducting regular BSEs means that you’re much more likely to detect a change and get the appropriate care before your cancer progresses. It’s estimated that about 40% of cases are diagnosed by women who find lumps themselves!
The non-profit helps to plan and host events across campuses and cities in Washington and California, bringing women together in a safe environment. Starting young is important because women between the ages of 20 and 40 generally aren’t considered at risk and due to denser breast tissue, often have inaccurate mammogram readings.
We had the chance to interview Heike. Here are some of her most inspirational thoughts.
At Maxim Hygiene, we define a fierce woman as a “glorious female creature whose idea of beauty is hinged upon the idea that she can change the world with each choice.” Who in your life is a Fierce Woman and why?
I think every woman has the potential to be FIERCE and we, as a community need to help bring that out in each of us.
Why did you decide to found CYB?
I decided to start CYB because when I was diagnosed at 34, I was shocked that I knew nothing about BC and most of my friends didn’t either. I couldn’t believe that AWARENESS of BC has reached its height here in the US – we walk for BC, we buy pink kitchen aids to support BC, I even last week saw a pink pumpkin that supports BC research. BUT that awareness has not lead to women being EDUCATED about BC.
If you could send one message to every young woman in the world, what would it be?
EDUCATE YOURSELF. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. TRUST YOUR INTUITION. ACT ON IT.
And breast cancer doesn’t only affect women. Women are the backbone of societies, the glue of families and a working economy. What affects women affects everyone. That is why breast cancer gets so much support and why so many organizations and companies find ways to donate to the cause.
Our favorite example of this is the Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island (OCLI) Group – a team of eye doctors that has raised over $71,000 dollars for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer initiative to date. They were ranked as the 7th largest fundraising team in the nation and next year, they’ll walk to surpass their milestone goal of $75,000. 
“Today, there is more hope than ever for people facing breast cancer,” states Tom Burke, CEO of OCLI. “Not only is this my opportunity to join my community to fight back against breast cancer, it is also a way to inspire hope.”
This October, help spread awareness to your loved ones by educating them about BSEs and breast cancer prevention. You can host a party or donate to a Making Strides team. And remember, breast cancer is prevalent all year long, so make sure your efforts to stop it are too!