Spalding performer Zeph Churchill raises funds and awareness for Breast Cancer Now in debut sell-out show at South Holland Centre Spalding

Two people had unusual breast lumps examined after attending the highly successful first stand-up show of a nurse-turned-comedienne.

Zeph Churchill not only raised a few smiles but also awareness of menopause and breast cancer during her debut stand-up show – Is It Me Or Is It Hot In Here? - at the South Holland Centre in October.

The recently retired nurse practitioner aimed to highlight the issues faced by women as a result of the menopause along with promoting the importance of being ‘breast aware’ through laughter.

She has recently received a letter to state that two people who attended the sell-out show have sought treatment for unusual lumps following her performance at the Spalding theatre.

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And this is a message which is close to Zeph’s heart after her grandmother, Joan Williams, died as a result of breast cancer and the comedian’s mother and aunts have also battled the disease.

Zeph, who is taking the show on tour around the country, said: “I said before the show that if I saved one life then the whole thing was worth it.

“I lost my nan to breast cancer, my great-grandmother died, my mum and my aunts have had it so I check carefully.

“It is here in my life and I don’t want another woman to go through that. Breast cancer is common now, one in seven women will get breast cancer. It is really common but it is really treatable. I have been a nurse for 35 years and I have seen treatments change. Women who would have died 35 years ago are now surviving thanks to the treatments.”

Zeph, who has recently retired from Beechfield Medical Centre, is a strong believer in using laughter to getting important messages across.

She said: “In general practice you don’t get a lot of time but I have two hours on stage to talk about women’s health.

“I want to normalise the normal and raise the profile of women’s health.

“As you get older, it is more likely that you will get breast cancer. The other point is that you can keep on living a good life.

“I have saved many lives through nursing but this is putting responsibility on that person to check.”

After the show, Zeph highlighted charities and organisations which are able to provide more information on what to look out. In fact the Coppafeel charity can provide a text reminder every month to check.

She would also like to see breast examination taught in schools during personal, social and health education lessons.

Zeph added: “All these things are free. There’s also the Lincolnshire Breast Genetics Clinic and the Lincolnshire Breast Pain Clinic – if we don’t use them we are going to lose them.”

The event also raised a whopping £2,312.50 for the Breast Cancer Now charity.

*The charity CoppaFeel offers a reminder service so that people remember to carry out regular checks.

What do you think? Should more be done to promote awareness of breast cancer? Post your thoughts in the comments below