Nicola Elliott
There’s a new kind of friend in town—one that doesn’t gossip, doesn’t flake, and might just save your life. My Breast Friend has officially launched, and it’s here to help people check in with their bodies—literally. Created by Guernsey-based marketing professional Gemma Ainger, the app is a bright, bold reminder that self-care isn’t vanity; it’s survival.
Gemma was 42 when she found something unusual while showering. She rarely checked herself—felt healthy, had no family history, and certainly didn’t expect anything sinister. Weeks later, she was hit with the words no one ever wants to hear: stage 3 invasive breast cancer, already spreading to her lymph nodes.
“It was quite advanced,” Gemma explains. “Because I wasn’t checking regularly, I didn’t find it at an earlier stage. If I had caught it sooner, my treatment could have been easier and my outcome more positive.”
So, while fighting through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, Gemma channelled her energy into building something that could help others catch cancer earlier—My Breast Friend, a free app designed to make monthly self-checks quick, normal, and stigma-free.
A Friendly App with a Serious Purpose
Now available on both the App Store and Google Play, My Breast Friend sends users gentle monthly reminders to perform a self-check, offering a simple way to log any changes privately. The interface is warm and approachable—no cold clinical language or fear-driven messages. Just practical empowerment.
“It’s not about fear or cancer,” says Gemma. “It’s about self-care, awareness and confidence. We should all know what’s normal for our own bodies and proactively look after ourselves—it’s one of the simplest ways to protect our health.”
Backed by medical experts, Appleby Global Law Firm, and digital agency Indulge Media, My Breast Friend has been built with the same care and precision that went into Gemma’s recovery. This isn’t a gimmick—it’s a guide, and one she hopes will become part of everyone’s monthly routine.
Amy Dowden Joins the Movement
Gemma isn’t in this alone. Joining her is Amy Dowden MBE, the Strictly Come Dancing star and breast cancer survivor who’s been using her public platform to champion early detection.
“When Gemma told me about her plans for My Breast Friend, it was exactly what I had been looking for—something simple and positive people can do to remind them to check monthly, know their bodies, and act early,” Amy says. “I immediately wanted to collaborate with her to make the app the best it can be and reach as many people as possible. It doesn’t matter how old you are, there’s no reason not to download this app—it could literally save your life.”
Gemma agrees. “I’m so excited to have Amy join me in launching My Breast Friend! Her breast cancer journey is similar to mine, and through first-hand experience coupled with so much enthusiasm and drive for breast health awareness, I truly believe that together, we can make a huge difference.”
One in Seven—But It Doesn’t Have to Be You
The statistics are sobering. One in seven women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and nearly half of women in the UK admit they don’t check regularly. My Breast Friend aims to change that by making self-exams as routine as brushing your teeth.
Gemma’s long-term goal is to introduce My Breast Friend into schools, universities, and workplaces—to make self-awareness second nature. The app will also use anonymised data to track how often users are checking, measuring real-world change in habits and awareness.
“Not all breast cancer can be spotted from a self-exam, but wouldn’t you prefer to be in a position to know your normal and act fast?” Gemma says. “Starting in our twenties, if more people get into the habit of checking through their lifetime, we can catch more cases early, resulting in better, more positive outcomes.”
Expert Endorsements
Clinical Nurse Specialist Gillian praises the app’s simplicity: “A great tool for monthly breast checks which is important for the early detection of breast symptoms and management. The My Breast Friend app should be used as regularly as meeting friends for coffee. A stitch in time saves nine.”
Consultant Breast and Oncoplastic Surgeon Debashis Ghosh adds, “Gemma is an inspirational survivor who took her diagnosis under her stride and successfully transformed her challenge into a benefit for other women affected by breast cancer. It has been my privilege to be part of her journey.”
The Bottom Line
My Breast Friend isn’t just another app—it’s a movement. A rallying call for self-awareness, early detection, and empowerment. And with two survivors leading the charge, it’s proof that even the toughest battles can inspire something truly life-saving.
App Information: My Breast Friend – Availability: Free on App Store and Google Play – Website: www.mybreastfriend.health – Instagram: @my_breast_friend_app
