Checking Your Phone Regularly Won't Save Your Life

PR62251

LONDON, Oct. 20, 2015 / PRNewswire=KYODO JBN / --

New research reveals that over two thirds of women anxious when they forget to

check phone, almost half 'not bothered' by forgetting to check breasts

To mark the start of breast cancer awareness month, new research has revealed

the modern woman's 'checklist': showing that women are much more likely to

worry about checking almost everything - their smartphones, bank balance and

their appearance - over checking their breasts.

The global research, conducted by FITNESS(R), a Nestle whole grain cereal,

showed that only 5% of women often forget to check their phones - while almost

a third (32%) of women admitted to regularly forgetting to do a breast check.

"Our research highlights that too many of us forget to check our breasts. We

know early detection can save lives and prevent breast cancer, so this month

we're campaigning for women to take one simple positive action - a self-breast

check." says, Liz Mascolo, Global Marketing Director at Cereal Partners

Worldwide.

"This fun campaign asks women to post an image on social media of themselves

getting #HandsOn. It's a simple and light hearted way to spread an important

message."

Despite participants in the research citing breast exams as the most important

thing to remember to regularly do, almost half (45%) of women stated they're

'not bothered' when they realise they've forgotten to check their breasts.

However, 68% of the respondents admitted they can't help but feel anxious when

they realise they've forgotten their phone.

Jo Hemmings, Behavioural Psychologist, reflects on the findings. "There are a

number of reasons why women don't check their breasts as regularly as they

should. It's in part fear of what they might find, coupled with a sense of

denial that it won't happen to them.  But is also about making the effort to

break old habits, where we may have been forgetful, and resolving to form new

habits to protect our health. Self-protection comes from making minor changes

in our behaviour patterns - simple yet regular breast checks.

"While our smartphones have become an indispensable part of our daily lives,

the #HandsOn campaign is encouraging people to 'borrow' some of that checking

routine we've got so used to, and spend a fraction to check our breasts

regularly. With 53% of women admitting that they take their phone into the

toilet with them, it would be wonderful to see every woman checking their

breasts in the shower or bath - and you don't even need to remember to take

them with you!"

The research also revealed that 85% of women cite their phone as one of the

things they remember to check most often.  When it comes to the top three most

regular checks, the phone is the outright winner followed by bank balance and

hair.

Watch the video http://on.fb.me/1gRITwv to see just how many times women check

their phones every day, but often miss their regular breast check.

The research was conducted with 3,000 women across the globe in September 2015

by FITNESS(R) - a Nestle whole grain cereal - and is part of their initiative

to encourage women across the globe to put their devices down and put their

hands on their breasts instead this October. The light hearted campaign asks

women to post an image on social media of themselves getting #HandsOn to

encourage self-breast examination.

See notes to editors for summary of research findings.

NOTES TO EDITORS

SUMMARY OF RESEARCH FINDINGS:  

The top 3 things the research shows women remember to check the most often are:

- Phones

- Bank Balance

- Hair

The top 3 things women forget to check the most often are:

- FITNESS(R) tech (e.g. pedometers)

- Breasts

- Weight

The top 3 things women think it's important to check:

- Breasts

- Bank balance

- Weight

The extreme places women check their phones:

- The loo (53%)   

- In bed (34%)

- In the cinema (24%)   

- During a funeral (12%)

- On a first date (7%)

- During their wedding ceremony (3%)   

- Giving birth (2%)

SOURCE: Nestle FITNESS