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Meet Alice-May Purkiss. A CoppaFeel! trustee and Boobette volunteer, she aims to teach young people how to detect breast cancer. Here is a day in her life…
What is the first thing that you do in the morning?
The first thing I do in the morning is usually get up and turn my computer on. Though, sometimes, I like to lie in bed a bit longer than I should and listen to the radio.
How do you get ready to face the day?
Breakfast is a big part of my day. I use it as a key tool for self-care and if I miss it, I really notice the difference. It is never usually anything that exciting, but at this time of year it is usually a bowl of porridge with banana and sultanas. Sets me right up for the day ahead.
What item can you never leave the house without?
I never leave the house without a pen, a notebook and whatever book I am reading. I am a writer so these are utterly essential bits of kit in my line of work.
Can you give a brief description of your day job and how you chose this career?
I am a writer and social media manager and I found my way to this job after doing a journalism degree at Liverpool John Moores University. I graduated in 2010, and then moved to London where I undertook a journalism internship at a freedom of expression charity. From there, I moved into marketing and I went freelance about 2 years ago.
– Around 62,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the UK. –
How did you decide to become involved with CoppaFeel!?
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 when I was 26. I knew immediately I wanted to do whatever I could to turn my experience into something positive, and I felt passionately about helping other people. I blogged my way through my treatment to help others going through similar experiences but upon completing my surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, I knew that knowing my boobs had saved my life. I found my lump early and it was very
aggressive and growing quickly. But, because I had been in the habit of checking myself and had found the lump early, I responded really well to treatment. I got in touch with CoppaFeel! to see if there was any way I could help the charity out because I was passionate about their awareness message and I wanted to spread the word. I am a firm believer that late detection of breast cancer shouldn’t exist – and this firmly aligns with the views of CoppaFeel!
What is your favourite thing about being a Boobette?
I know a lot of my Boobette sisters would disagree with this but I love speaking in front of massive groups of school kids. I think it is so important to be talking to young people about the importance of looking after their bodies at a young age because it is a great time for them to get into healthy habits that will last their lifetime. I feel like the earlier we hit young adults with the important message that knowing your boobs or pecs could save your life, the better.
As a CoppaFeel! trustee and Boobette, alongside your freelancer day job, do you ever have such a thing as an average day?
I do sometimes have an “average” day but no two days are ever the same in my line of work really. Whether I am dealing with clients, writing for publications, teaching training courses, chatting boobs or spending an afternoon with my fellow CoppaFeel! trustee board discussing how we can move the charity forward, it is always very varied.
What is the best way to get a work-life balance as a freelancer?
One of the hardest things about being a freelancer is knowing when to switch off. A big part of attaining the right work-life balance for me is that I very, very rarely work after about 6pm. I would far rather get up early and work through my lunch than work in the early evening. That way, this time is protected for me and my husband.
You have self-published a book which is now available to pre-order (congratulations!), how did you fit writing it into your daily life?
THANK YOU! Writing the book was quite a challenge and fitting it in around my day-to-day work was certainly a challenge, but I try to write something every day, even if it is not relevant to whatever project I am working on. For me, writing the book definitely came in waves – some peaks and quite a few troughs. But a lot of the time, it was just about getting my head down and getting on with it. It doesn’t cover the easiest subjects (breast cancer and mental health) so sometimes I just had to ride the wave of not necessarily being able to get the words out.
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– 1 in 8 women will be affected by breast cancer –
What makes you happy in a day?
I love coming home to my little flat. I work here a lot, but having a comfortable and safe space that is filled with the trappings of life makes me really happy. Also, I am usually happy if there is food in front of me.
What is the best way to unwind after a long day at work?
I love to swim and find a huge amount of clarity in the water – I am not sure if it is the counting of my breaths or lengths but I find there is something really meditative about it so that is a great way for me to unwind after work. I am planning to swim through the winter at Brockwell Lido which is unheated so I reckon the cold water might help with that too.
What are you currently reading?
Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl
What is the last thing that you do in the evening?
I usually get into bed and read a book. Then, when I turn the light out, I always put on the audiobook of Harry Potter. It is a habit I got into while I wasn’t very well and I find it is the perfect way to shut down for a good night’s sleep. And who doesn’t love Harry Potter?
– When breast cancer is diagnosed early around 87 percent of women survive beyond 5 years –
Do you have a daily motto?
I don’t know about a daily motto but something I try to live by is “Let go of the illusion it could have been any different” which kind of translates to me as “you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be right now. So roll with it”
What is one piece of advice that you would give to young people?
Look after yourself and your body. Your body is your home, it is where you live and it is the only one you have got. So water it, give it the nutrition it needs, exercise it, give it a break if it’s not “perfect” (whatever that means) and get to know it. Be able to recognise if something about it isn’t right and take action if you do. Check your boobs or pecs once a month. Know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and other kinds of cancer. Your body is the best asset you have and it is essential for living a long, happy and healthy life. So respect it. You deserve it.
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Learn more from the CoppaCollege here
(Also the reference for all featured statistics)
