Wash that body: Check Your Bits
A life-threatening scare four years ago led a Christchurch couple to create a unique bodywash, aimed at women and men using it to regularly check for cancer signs.
Aptly named Check Your Bits, the bodywash is the brainchild of Tamara Milne and Ryan Newman, inspired by their own experience with breast cancer in 2020. “We are now on a mission to increase the knowledge and awareness around breast cancer in younger women; and teach the important life-saving skills of how to perform self-checks,” says radiographer Tamara.
She and Ryan, an architectural designer, founded Check Your Bits after Tamara’s personal battle with breast cancer, which started during the 2020 pandemic. During a routine self-check, Tamara discovered a lump in her breast. She credits her self-checking habit with saving her life and wants others to “know their normal” and take charge of their health.
“We were shocked to learn how few people had a regular self-check habit, and some admitted they’d never even checked themselves,” says Tamara. “Early detection is critical, and we wanted to make it easier, more approachable, and more accessible for everyone to prioritise their health.”
Breast and testicular cancers are among the most common cancers, yet many cases go undetected until it’s too late. Tamara and Ryan’s mission is to make early detection a priority
for everyone, everywhere. Their bodywash was launched early in December 2024, and they hope it will encourage more people to perform regular self-checks, in the hopes of ultimately reducing the number of New Zealander’s living with advanced cancer, and reduce the mortality statistics. “We worked on the bodywash for the last couple of years,” says Tamara, “A beautiful all-natural product, it is designed to be your visual prompt in the shower to ‘Check Your Bits’. Making checks an everyday habit could save lives.”
More than a health campaign
Join the movement. Visit the website to learn more, sign up for reminders, and become part of the community. “Let’s create a world where self-checks are as routine as brushing your teeth. It’s time to Check Your Bits.” Purchase online via the website opposite.
