EastEnders

Tracy-Ann Oberman

Tracy-Ann, 35, plays Chrissie Watts. She is married and lives in London

Four of my friends have had breast cancer, all in their late 20s and early 30s. Its very shocking. And most women I know have, at some point, had a lump scare. Often it turns out not to be cancer, but youve got to get it looked at. I do check my breasts, but Im in the dark as to what Im looking for. A few years ago, youd go to your GP and the nurse would give you a breast exam, but now you have to be breast-aware yourself. We should be taught how to check them at school. Im really happy with my boobs although good upholstery does help. I can make them look really big or fairly small, depending on the outfit. Of course, I tend to show them off to their full advantage while Ive got them, I might as well flaunt them. Id never have cosmetic surgery, not after watching Extreme Makeover. I cant believe the body doesnt reject all that silicone more often itd frighten me. My boobs are my favourite body part. I think Ive got nice ears, too. I wish I had longer legs and straight hair, although, as I get older, Im growing to like my curls

The Bills Seema Bowri

Seema (right), 26, plays PC Leela Kapoor. She lives in London with her partner

My boobs might not be the biggest, but theyre what make me feel like a woman, they define my sexuality. To have one taken away, I just cant imagine... Im fortunate there hasnt been any cancer in my family, but I know people who have suffered. My friend had it for five years and wrote a one-woman show called Breast Strokes all about it. She and her partner have just got married to celebrate it being five years since the treatment ended. There was no history of breast cancer in her family and she was only in her early 30s when she was diagnosed such a shock.

When my mum turned 50, she found a lump. She didnt do anything about it, she was quite scared, and convinced herself it wasnt there which you should never do. But she was called for a mammogram and it turned out to be nothing, thank God. I think breast cancer screening should certainly start younger than 50.

Im always touching my breasts. Is that a weird thing to do? Its a comfort thing. And if there was something there, Id definitely find it.

I love them, theres nothing Id change about them. I know theyll get big and saggy when I have babies but the thought of having anything done to them, I cant imagine. Im happy with my lot.

The Bills Lisa Maxwell

Lisa (far right), 41, plays DI Sam Nixon. She lives in London with her partner and daughter, five

I check myself in the bath and my partner checks me for lumps, too. Im 41 and, stupidly, part of me thinks I might have got away with it because I keep hearing about people in their 30s, like Caron Keating, getting breast cancer. I knew Caron when we were both TV presenters and she was exquisitely beautiful and passionate. It was such a shock. You think, she has everything, she cant get breast cancer, shes perfect just like Kylie.

We should all love our boobs. Theyre amazing and theyre very useful. After I gave birth to my daughter, Beau, now five, she went straight on to my breast and I thought, Ah, this is what theyre for. Theyre not just sexual toys, theyre about giving babies the best start in life.

Im very happy with mine. I put weight on when I gave up smoking two years ago and my boobs went from an AA to a B cup. Until then I never had boobs.

My boobs tell a story, just like my belly does. Id never make them fake. Theres always going to be someone with a tighter set of buns or better knockers. But I like all of me theres enough of me for my daughter to fall asleep on, and my partner still fancies me. Im keeping everybody happy.

I came very close to having an eating disorder when I was working in LA. I wouldnt eat, my hair got thin, my skin got bad. Ive had my fair share of trials and tribulations to get happy in my skin. But when you become a mum, you surrender your body to somebody else, and thats the most liberating feeling in the world.

Holby Citys Tina Hobley

Tina (left), 34, plays Chrissie Williams. She is a single mum to Isabella, six

Being a woman, a mother, and a friend to someone whos had breast cancer, I feel strongly about lending my support to Breast Cancer Awareness month. I lost a friend to breast cancer two years ago. She was 34 when she died. Shed found the lump two years earlier and went straight to her GP. After tests, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. I also have another friend who is currently in remission after being diagnosed two years ago. Theyve had a huge impact on me not only am I constantly aware of my own health, but their strength amazes me. One of my friends lost her hair during chemotherapy. To me, long hair is part of my femininity, but my friend dealt with it so bravely. It frustrated me a bit I couldnt do anything to help her but I think its partly about just being there. Im more assertive when it comes to my own health since being close to someone whos been ill. Last year, I thought Id found a lump, but after a trip to the doctors and a mammogram, I was given the all clear. It was just a cyst. But its better to be safe than sorry. I intend to educate my daughter, Isabella, six, about looking after herself as she grows up. My mum never taught me to check my boobs when I was younger, but then, the info wasnt out there like it is today. I really hope the campaign can urge women to keep on top of their health and get checked out. Women shouldnt be shy about their boobs, and if theyre worried about the shape or a lump, they should go to the doctor. Boyfriends and partners should help their girlfriends too.

Heartbeats Vanessa Hehir

Vanessa (right), 24, plays Heartbeats Rosie Cartwright. Shes single and lives in Manchester My best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, when she was 22. It was an awful time. She had the lump removed and a year later, she was given the all clear. It can go either way, but she was lucky. We had a big party to celebrate. As a close friend and supporter, you also have to be brave. You cant let your own emotions get in the way you have to focus on being strong and positive for them. But at the same time, its heartbreaking watching someone go through the trauma. The good thing is, if its caught early on, you can get the necessary treatment straight away so the chances of survival are high.

I think some people bury their head in the sand and dont necessarily see a doctor when they find a problem. But women must realise they should get it checked out because it may be nothing anyway.

When I read Kylie Minogue had breast cancer, I cried. Not only is she so young, but also you put someone like her on a pedestal and think shes almost invincible, when shes really just as vulnerable as the rest of us.

Im quite happy with my boobs although I do sometimes wear a padded bra to make them look a bit bigger. I say Ive got a good handful but then I have really tiny hands...

Heartbeats Sophie Ward

Sophie (centre, right), 40, plays Heartbeats Dr Helen Trent. She lives in Gloucester with her two children, and her partner Rena Breast cancer awareness has grown rapidly over the last few years, its fantastic. Women can easily get hold of information about how they should check themselves and what to do if they find a lump. Ive been very lucky, as I havent had any direct experiences of breast cancer, nor has anyone in my family. But I do have two colleagues who are my age, who have both had breast cancer and extensive surgery. I am shocked when I hear stories of young women getting breast cancer, but it does happen a lot its not just over-50s who are affected.

I often check my breasts and I also get checked out by the doctor. Ive never had to have a mammogram, as Ive never found anything serious.

Ive always been small-breasted well, positively flat-chested, I call it. I have never really thought about having plastic surgery to have bigger boobs, although certain people have mentioned it to me during my modelling career. Breasts arent something I directly associate with my femininity. I certainly think if a woman has undergone surgery and had a breast removed, its still possible to feel just as feminine.

Heartbeats Tricia Penrose

Tricia (left), 35, plays Gina Ward. She lives in Cheshire with her husband