The “Know Your Lemons” app is redefining how people learn about breast health; turning awareness into action through smart design, education, and accessibility. CEO and Founder of “Know Your Lemons”, Corrine Ellsworth Beaumont, joins Yolanda Maartens this Pinktober to talk about how 12 lemons in an egg carton has become a global communication tool. 

Recently named the #1 Health & Fitness App in the world (surpassing even Apple Fitness) and a four-time Webby Award nominee, the free, privacy-protected platform empowers users to take control of their health with simple, memorable tools.

Using its now-iconic visual guide, users can easily recognize the 12 symptoms of breast cancer, calculate their personal risk, and build a custom screening plan. The app also includes self-exam audio guides, reminders in 45 languages, and the ability to prepare for and even book mammograms directly.

The founding of organizations that bring about real change is often rooted in deeply personal experiences, and this one is no exception.

The roots of the “Know Your Lemons” campaign lie in the face-to-face experiences of its founder, Dr. Corrine, with breast cancer; the passing of both her grandmothers and a close friend. This heartbreaking reality moved her to action after she uncovered a surprising and alarming gap.

With the lack of resources that effectively and clearly communicated the full picture of early detection, not all the symptoms, not how to perform a self-exam, and not clear guidance on when to get screened, “Know Your Lemons” was born.

Not only pointing out the problem, Dr. Corrine dedicated herself to solving it. She earned a PhD and used her own savings to launch what is today the only global breast cancer charity dedicated solely to education for early detection.

Global Design for Life

Leveraging her design expertise, she researched, tested, and developed a revolutionary educational program. It has become the most popular global education program in history because it successfully breaks through barriers like fear, social taboos, and literacy issues. 

It is intentionally inclusive, designed to work with any age, race, ethnicity, or gender.

Know Your Lemons in South Africa. Photo supplied 

Since 2017, the impact of this creative, empowering education has been extraordinary:

• It has reached 1.5 billion people online.

• It has educated over 50,000 people in person through trained volunteer educators.

• The campaign design has been adapted into over 30 languages.

• An award-winning app was created, and it has successfully improved early detection rates.

• Over 500 volunteer educators have been trained in over 50 countries.

Through this powerful, empathetic education, the organization has fulfilled its ultimate goal: saving numerous lives worldwide. It is a profound example of how personal grief can be transformed into a global force for good.

The campaign’s creative and inclusive visual approach means that “Know Your Lemons” is the only breast cancer awareness campaign that successfully overcomes literacy issues and includes all demographics to address global gender and health inequities.

Overcoming Taboos

By using 12 lemons instead of breasts, the campaign achieves a truly global reach, expertly overcoming cultural taboos surrounding the subject of breasts. 

This unique design enables partners to reach multiple markets simultaneously with a single campaign sponsorship, dramatically broadening their reach and brand recognition. 

The campaign’s effectiveness is clear: breast cancer patients who saw their visual campaign had a 39% lower rate of Stage 4 breast cancers, compared to patients who had not.

Furthermore, a remarkable 94% of people reported feeling more confident about their breast health after seeing their work. Introducing the conversation in a fun and inviting way removes fear from the topic and instantly creates discussion.

Be confident about your breast health and get to know your lemons!

OFM Lifestyle mvh