Trending

This is why ‘street nipples’ have started appearing on pavements across Manchester

It's all for a very crucial cause.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 1st October 2025

Have you happened to notice a bunch of so-called ‘street nipples’ popping up on pavements across Manchester?

Well, there’s a very important reason for them.

In case you weren’t aware, 1 October is the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as a way of marking this hugely-crucial occasion, pavement studs across major UK cities like London, Edinburgh, and, of course, here in Manchester are being transformed into nipples as part of a bold conversation-starting initiative from charity Breast Cancer UK.

Pavement studs often go unnoticed, but this new campaign is designed to stop people in their tracks when they’re walking around the city centre.

The charity says it’s taking its plea for cancer prevention to the streets (quite literally) in a nationwide ode to the importance of early detection.

ADVERTISEMENT

The attention-grabbing ‘breasts stencils’, which you can now spot around Manchester, are created with reverse clean graffiti – a technique that uses pressure washers rather than paint – and although the art will disappear naturally over time, the charity hopes the message will continue to resonate long after.

“If you don’t look for it, you could miss it,” the charity said in a statement.

ADVERTISEMENT

Breast cancer is estimated to affect one in seven women in the UK over their lifetime, yet studies tell us that at least 30% of these cases could be prevented if detected earlier, this is why Breast Cancer UK is using the new ‘Street Nipples’ campaign to empower people with the knowledge and tools to reduce their risk.

“We know that at least 30% of breast cancer cases are preventable, but for those that are not, it’s vital to know the signs,” explained Thalie Martini, who is the CEO of Breast Cancer UK.

“We are concerned that many women in the UK are forgetting to check what’s right in front of them, so that’s why this Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are taking to the streets to urge women to take their health, quite literally, into their own hands.”

ADVERTISEMENT

An interactive map of the nipple artworks, helping people track down all 15 of them in Manchester has now been published.

Read more:

Those who spot and share a snap on social media using #StreetNipples, tagging @breastcanceruk and giving the account a follow, will also be entered into a prize draw to win a selection of Breast Cancer UK merch too.

You can find the map here.

Featured Image – David Parry (Supplied)