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Cancer survivor Susie Williams found she has a lot to learn about her body and her life when she encountered The Boob Project.

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 40, I was shocked to realise I had never been shown how to properly examine my breasts. For all the articles, awareness campaigns, and pink ribbons, the simple act of knowing what to look and feel for had somehow been missed.

That’s why attending The Boob Project workshop at Fleurieu Wellness in McLaren Vale was such an eye-opener. In just a few hours, I learned practical, potentially life-saving skills—not only how to check my breasts properly, but also how to care for my whole body and mind through mindful health, nutrition and everyday lifestyle choices.

A community gift of knowledge

What makes this workshop so special is its commitment to accessibility. Thanks to generous local McLaren Vale businesses who believe in the importance of community health, The Boob Project has been able to offer sessions completely free of charge. Their support enables Sutchain Mills, the knowledgeable and compassionate owner of Fleurieu Wellness, to donate her time to run these workshops at no cost to participants.

From next year, the project will introduce both free and paid ticket options—paid tickets for those who wish to help sustain this valuable program, and free tickets to ensure no one ever misses out due to financial circumstances.

It’s a shining example of our region’s community spirit—local businesses coming together to make a difference, and one passionate health advocate giving her time to help others live well.

What you’ll learn

The Boob Project is about more than breast awareness—it’s about body awareness. Sutchain combines practical self-examination guidance with powerful insights into what it really means to live in health.

Through calm, supportive instruction, participants learn to recognise changes in their breasts and understand why regular self-checks are so important for early detection. There’s nothing clinical or intimidating about it. Sutchain creates a relaxed, friendly environment where open conversation and learning feel natural.

Using life-like modelled breasts, participants are shown correct self-examination techniques—how to use the pads of their fingers to feel in circular motions and what different types of lumps may feel like under the skin. The models reveal how tumours can vary in size and texture and how important it is to check at different depths, from just under the skin to closer to the chest wall. It was a revelation for many of us in the room—none of the participants in my class realised that a thorough check should include examining at multiple pressure levels to detect deeper abnormalities.

It’s a simple skill, yet one that could be the difference between catching something early or missing it altogether.

Understanding the risks we can change

Here’s something powerful to sit with:

“A significant number of chronic conditions are preventable through lifestyle changes.”

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare confirms that lifestyle is a key factor in preventing cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, some cancers, respiratory diseases and even mental health conditions.

So why, despite all we know, do so many of us still struggle to live in health? Sutchain explains it through three major modifiable risk factors:

🌿 Nutritional deficiency – Our modern diets are often full of processed foods and poor in essential nutrients. Even if we eat our greens, if our bodies can’t absorb and use those nutrients properly, we’re missing out. “You can eat all the broccoli in the world,” Sutchain says, “but if your body can’t digest and absorb it, it’s like poison to your cells.”

🌿 Toxic overload – Heavy metals, pesticides and chemicals in food, water, cleaning and personal care products all contribute to our toxic load. Add alcohol, stress and smoking, and our bodies’ natural detox systems can quickly become overwhelmed.

🌿 Low vital force – When we live under constant stress, carry negative thought patterns, or run on burnout, we deplete the very energy that drives our healing and resilience.

The good news? We have control over these factors. Through awareness and consistent self-care, we can build strong, resilient bodies that are less susceptible to disease.

Protective practices for lasting health

Sutchain encourages what she calls protective practices—simple daily actions that create an environment for healing and vitality. These include good hydration, nutritious food, restorative sleep, regular movement, mindfulness and time for self-connection.

She also speaks about supporting the body’s natural cleansing systems—the liver, lymph, colon, kidneys, skin, and lungs—so they can efficiently eliminate waste. It’s about empowering people to take charge of their own health, not through extreme diets or quick fixes, but through balanced, mindful living.

Her message is both hopeful and motivating:

“Every day, your choices send a message to your body. You’re either telling it to heal, balance and thrive—or to inflame, store toxins and break down.”

Small steps, big impact

For many who attend, The Boob Project becomes a turning point—a reminder that health doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s about awareness, connection and small daily habits that nurture the body and mind.

You walk away from the session not only knowing how to check your breasts, but also why caring for yourself matters. It’s not just about avoiding illness—it’s about creating the conditions to live well, with energy, clarity and peace of mind.

A message for men and women

Although breast cancer is more common in women, men are not immune. The same principles of awareness, prevention and early detection apply to everyone. Sutchain encourages men to attend too, whether for their own learning or to support the women in their lives.

Workshops continuing into 2026

The Boob Project workshops will continue into 2026, with new dates to be announced soon at fleurieuwellness.com.au/the-boob-project.

If you’ve ever hesitated to do a self-check or felt unsure what to look for, make this the year you take a step for your health. The workshop is free, friendly and could quite literally save your life—or the life of someone you love.

It’s just a few hours of your time, but the impact could last a lifetime.

Because knowing your body is the most powerful act of self-care there is.