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Roberta Picchi and Football’s Campaign for Breast Cancer Awarenes
Following a breast cancer diagnosis, Como 1907 Women have extended Roberta Picchi’s contract through the end of the 2027/28 season. Just months earlier, the forward had been celebrating the pinnacle of her career, helping Como secure promotion to the top tier of Italian women’s football for the very first time in club history. Now facing a different kind of fight, Picchi has received a powerful display of club solidarity by securing her professional future so she can put all of her energy into her treatment.
Beyond extending her deal, the way Como has rallied around Picchi highlights the vital safety net that professional clubs can provide when life-altering medical news strikes. In a sport where careers are notoriously fast-moving and contracts can be fragile, a sudden diagnosis brings immense anxiety. By offering unconditional backing, job security and access to top-tier support, Como has ensured Picchi doesn't have to carry the mental weight of her career while fighting for her health, giving her the ultimate peace of mind.
At the same time, Picchi’s diagnosis serves as a sobering reminder that serious health battles can happen to anyone, regardless of age, elite fitness levels or athletic lifestyle. In professional football, where athletes' bodies are pushed to absolute physical limits, players are often subconsciously viewed as invincible.
Picchi is also not alone in facing this battle within the football community. Former Arsenal and Manchester City star Jen Beattie was also diagnosed with breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Beattie showed extraordinary resilience by continuing to train and play for both Arsenal and the Scottish national team throughout her treatment, even scoring a goal against Brighton just days after receiving her diagnosis. Since beating cancer she has become a passionate, leading voice in breast cancer advocacy, using her platform to push for education and early detection.
This Breast Cancer Awareness month, clubs have spotlighted the cause in powerful ways, something I'm constantly reminded of even just walking into a ground like the Emirates, where regular stadium ads and screens urge fans to check for lumps.
You'll often see WSL sides like West Ham backing breast cancer charities with special pink shirts and limited-edition programme covers. It goes even bigger on the international stage, too, like the Netherlands women's team and their inspiring 'Oranje voor Pink' campaign with Pink Ribbon Netherlands, where the squad wears special pink-accented kits to remind everyone that about 1 in 7 women will face this diagnosis. Whether it’s sharing self-check guides on stadium big screens or using club channels to spread the word, women’s football has a way of breaking down the stigma and reminding fans that early detection truly saves lives.
How to Check Your Breasts
You don't need any special medical training or fancy equipment to check your breasts, it only takes a few minutes and getting into a regular routine makes it easy to spot anything unusual.
It starts simply by standing in front of the mirror with your arms by your sides and then raising them high to check for any visual changes. You'll want to keep an eye out for sudden shifts in size, shape or symmetry, as well as skin that looks dimpled or puckered like an orange peel. Take note of any unexplained redness, rashes or changes around the nipple, such as inversion or unexpected discharge.
Next comes the physical check, which you can easily include in your daily habits whether in the shower or getting dressed in the morning. Using the pads of your fingers rather than just the tips, press down with light, medium and firm pressure. Be sure to cover the entire area, sweeping right up to your collarbone, across your chest and deep into your armpits where breast tissue naturally extends.
The most important thing to remember is simply knowing what feels normal for your body, as breasts naturally shift through different cycles and stages of life. A lump isn't the only sign to look out for and many changes turn out to be harmless, but if something feels persistent or unusual, trust your gut and book an appointment with your doctor immediately.
To help make checking a habit, there are incredible resources available. Charities like CoppaFeel! offer a brilliant self-checkout web app where you can sign up for free monthly text reminders. Meanwhile, organisations like Breast Cancer Now provide expert guidance, downloadable guides and a free confidential nurse helpline. Ultimately, staying proactive and talking openly about our health is one of the most powerful tools we have, because early detection truly saves lives.
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