Once upon a time, words like cancer were considered taboo.

Good thing those days are gone, because that would probably make Keep A Breast’s current campaign x-rated.

Michelle Murray, a member of the organization’s board of directors who lives in Sudbury, can often be seen sporting a t-shirt with “I love boobies” written across it, and colourful wristbands with the same message.

She said it’s “edgy” and certainly gets people talking, which is the response the organization is after.

"Check your boobies, love your boobies, love yourself."

Michelle Murray,
Keep A Breast, board of directors member

“The amount of cat calls and strange looks versus the amount of conversations I get from the bracelets and t-shirts, that far outweighs it,” Murray said.

Since 2008, Keep A Breast has been promoting breast cancer awareness in Canada.

“What we do is inform fans of the importance of having a positive relationship with their breasts, and healthy living tips for breast health,” Murray said.

“Breast booths” are set up at music festivals, like Northern Lights Festival Boréal and Summerfest in Sudbury, and larger Canadian events like the Warped Tour. Murray said Keep A Breast tries to target younger crowds, who may not realize they are also at risk of developing breast cancer, by having musicians and professional surfers supporting the cause.

Tom Delonge, frontman of Angels and Airwaves, is a board member for Keep A Breast in the United States, and Murray said other performers like Katy Perry, Fall Out Boy and Foo Fighters also support the organization.

When Murray sets up her booths in Sudbury, she gives out more than just information about breast cancer.

Women can take “shower cards,” or waterproof diagrams of how to do proper breast exams, for a constant reminder of how to check themselves.

Murray also has five fake breasts for women to practise on. One of the “educational breasts” has fibrocystic lumps, which can be caused by caffeine, stress and diet. Another breast is made to feel like it has cancerous lumps, so women can actually feel the difference.

Sudbury’s zombie portrait artist Rob Sacchetto was the first artist from northern Ontario to paint a cast for Keep A Breast. The project took him about 72 hours to complete. Supplied photo.

“Every woman has felt something,” Murray said. She explained the fake breasts help them determine what they are feeling.

The other three educational breasts show high-risk areas and proper self-examination techniques.

At festivals and events, Keep A Breast also has interactive boards for people to “imagine if” cancer didn’t exist, and a place for those touched by breast cancer to share their story.

“It brings people talking about the people, not the experience,” Murray said.

Keep A Breast also makes casts from women’s torsos, which are painted by artists and later auctioned off.

Rob Sacchetto, Sudbury’s zombie portrait artist, was the first northern Ontario resident to paint one of the casts.

“(Murray) explained the whole thing to me, and I thought ‘you know, that’s great. I’d love to contribute in any way I could,’” Sacchetto said.

His black and white creation took about 72 hours to complete. He said the texture of the cast was like “trying to draw on a brick wall,” and its shape was a bit tricky to work with, too.

“The young lady who they did the cast of was fairly well-endowed, so it was very three-dimensional,” he said, with a chuckle.

While the creation phase was long and difficult, Sacchetto said he enjoyed working for the organization.

“I knew it was a very important charity,” he said. I’ve done charity stuff before, and I’d love to do it again. This one was right up there in importance.”

While Keep A Breast’s promotion material is loud, Murray said it’s the message that’s really important. Women, and men, should become familiar with their bodies, so they know when something isn’t right.

“Check your boobies, love your boobies, love yourself,” she said. “Get to know your body.”

For more information about Keep A Breast, visit www.keep-a-breast.org, search Keep A Breast Canada on Facebook or e-mail Murray at mich.murray@live.ca.