Current Students and Staff

// University News

Lumps and Bumps graphics.

1 Mar 2019

Learn to check 'your lumps for bumps' on March 20th

Loughborough University, Loughborough Students’ Union, Coppafeel! and Ballboys are joining forces this March for an all-day event that looks to improve early detection rates of breast and testicular cancers by encouraging people to learn how to self-examine.

Breast and testicular cancer are becomingly more recurrent within the UK, and worryingly many people don’t know how to check themselves for the signs and symptoms of these life-threatening illnesses.

Did you know one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, and breast cancer can actually affect all genders? And almost 50% of cases of testicular cancer are men under 35 and there are almost 2,500 new cases each year?

There’s a good chance of recovery if breast and testicular cancers are detected in their early stages, and regular self-examinations play a crucial role as they help people become familiar with their bodies and therefore more likely to detect anything unusual, such as a lump.

‘Lumps and Bumps’ is a 12-hour collaborative event that will take place on Wednesday 20 March from 8am-8pm and aims to equip 1,001 staff, students and members of the community with the knowledge and confidence required to check themselves.

There will be multiple ‘pods’ across the Loughborough campus leading training sessions in which attendees can learn techniques – or refresh their existing skills or knowledge – for conducting both breast and testicular self-examinations.

It is hoped training male, female and non-binary staff and students in both types of self-examinations will lead to them passing knowledge onto friends and family members of all genders – extending the reach of the day.

The sessions themselves are simple and take around 30 minutes. The format will be a mixture of presentation-led content with an opportunity to then practice techniques on specialist training mannequins.

The training locations, including the roaming pod, are as follows:

  • Room 1 - Union on the hour (starting 8am)
  • Hazlerigg - council chamber on half hour (Starting 8.30am)
  • Library on the hour
  • New victory hall – half hour
  • Roaming Pod- on the hour

Roaming pod route:

On the hour on each of the locations:

  • Towers dining hall, Design School: 8am-11am
  • Student Village: 11am-2pm
  • Fusion: 2pm – 5pm
  • Holt: 5pm onwards

In the run-up to the event, a number of staff, students and alumni will be sharing their experiences of breast or testicular cancer to highlight how important it is to attend Lumps and Bumps and learn about self-checking.

Information for staff

It has been agreed that all staff members can ask to be formally released by their manager to attend a training session. This can also be counted towards your continuous professional development (CPD). We recommend you plan ahead as the lunchtime sessions are expected to be busy.

Information for students

Students should register upon arrival to enable their hall to earn points towards the Hall of the Year competition.

There is no need to book in advance, simply turn up to your chosen location on the day, and staff will allocate you onto the next available session.

Contact

Students wishing to find out more information should contact Liam Davis on liamdavis@lsu.co.uk

Staff wishing to find out more information should contact Kirsty Wilkinson on scl@lboro.ac.uk

Further details can also be found on the dedicated Lumps and Bumps event page.

Additional support

Staff affected by cancer, either personally or via a family member or friend, can seek support through the Employee Assistance Programme. Students are advised to contact Student Services for emotional support by popping into the Bridgeman Building or calling 01509 222765.

Those that are worried about their health can also visit the on-campus Medical Centre or call 01509 222061. Students must be registered as patients to access any necessary treatments.