Breast Cancer: How Lemons Help with Early Detection

Lemons Aid in Breast Cancer Early Detection

The idea of using lemons was conceived by American graphic designer Corinne Ellsworth-Beaumont, after she lost both grandmothers and a friend to cancer. While searching for information on early detection of breast cancer, she realised that the answer to her question – “What am I actually feeling for when I conduct a self-examination?” – was not found in books or brochures. The representations were too unnatural, the explanations too complicated. Her creative idea: education beyond linguistic, cultural, or religious barriers.

Why Lemons?

Bare breasts on the internet – censorship is not far away. But how do you draw attention to changes if you cannot show them? The saving idea: lemons.

They share much in common with the female breast: the stalk-like base resembles a nipple, and inside they are perforated by channels, with the hard core not far from a malignant lump. “When you cut a lemon lengthwise and look inside, it looks like an anatomical diagram of the breast, with milk ducts radiating from the nipple,” explains the graphic designer.

“Know your lemons”

Her idea for the lemon campaign, “Know your lemons,” was as simple as it was successful: today, specially trained volunteer “Lemonistas” educate women worldwide in more than 90 countries about early detection of breast cancer. There is also a free, co-branded app for smartphones that helps with early detection in several languages – including German.

Breast Cancer Has Many Faces

Not only the nodular change, often only detectable by touch in advanced stages, is a sign of breast cancer. Hardening, bumps, dimples, suddenly visible veins, superficial skin wounds or rash can all indicate breast cancer. Changes in the nipple are also a warning sign: discharge, crusts, or an inwardly sinking nipple recur frequently. Itching and a change in the form or size of the breast, usually only on one side, are also serious warning signals that require medical examination.

Images (from top left to right, then bottom):

Hardening, dimpling, crusted nipple, local pain/itching (usually with another symptom), new discharge, skin wounds;
Bump, enlarged vein, inverted nipple, new shape or size, rash/orange peel skin, hard lump.

Why Prevention Is So Important

Breast cancer, medically known as “mammary carcinoma,” is a malignant tumour in the breast. In the European region of the World Health Organization (WHO), 1,579 women receive a new breast cancer diagnosis daily. In rare cases, men can also be affected by breast cancer. Since early-stage breast cancer – when chances of cure are still very high – often causes no symptoms, changes are frequently detected late.

Preventive breast examinations, such as visits to the gynaecologist or doctor, should be regularly scheduled. Equally important is self-examinating your breasts at a specific point in your menstrual cycle when the tissue is particularly soft. See our guide on how to perform a breast self-exam.

In the UAE

In the UAE, raising awareness about breast cancer and promoting early detection are essential components of public health strategies. With increasing awareness campaigns, access to advanced screening facilities, and culturally sensitive education, women and men alike are encouraged to participate in regular health check-ups and self-examinations. By integrating innovative approaches like the Lemon Campaign and strengthening healthcare infrastructure, the UAE continues to make significant strides in reducing breast cancer mortality rates and improving outcomes through early diagnosis and timely treatment.