Miss World 2025, Opal Suchata Chuangsri, will visit The Christie hospital in Withington, Manchester - and the charity Prevent Breast Cancer, based at The Nightingale Centre at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust - this Friday (1 August 2025) as part of her continued mission to raise awareness of breast cancer.
Opal made history on May 31 this year as the first Thai woman to be crowned Miss World at the 72nd contest in Telangana, India. At just 21 years old, Opal is using her platform to champion breast cancer awareness following her own experience with breast tumours as a teenager. At 16, she underwent surgery to remove 2 benign 10-centimetre tumours from her breasts – a turning point that inspired her to pursue advocacy through education and public platforms including pageantry.
Opal’s visit to The Christie and Prevent Breast Cancer has been arranged by Christie consultant oncologist Dr Abbas Chittalia, who specialises in breast cancer treatment.
During her time at the hospital, Opal will meet Dr Sacha Howell, who leads the BCAN-RAY (Breast Cancer Risk Assessment in Younger Women) study – a pioneering breast cancer risk assessment study created in memory of Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding and part funded by The Christie Charity.
The Christie Charity supports the work of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust providing enhanced services over and above what the NHS is able to fund.
Dr Howell said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Opal to The Christie and to share more about the BCAN-RAY study with her. Her dedication to raising awareness of breast cancer, especially among younger women, aligns closely with the aims of the BCAN-RAY study, which is all about identifying risk earlier so that women can be supported with personalised prevention and screening.”
A student of International Relations with a keen interest in psychology and anthropology, Opal is passionate about health equality, women’s rights and global collaboration on cancer research. Her long-term ambition is to pursue a career in diplomacy, a path she has already begun through her ‘Opal for Her’ campaign which she founded following her own experience with a benign breast lump. The initiative promotes early detection of breast cancer and women’s empowerment across all walks of life.
“I came to Miss World with the mission to inspire, empower, and advocate for change, and to be inspired by the amazing women around me,” says Opal. “I want to make a difference, wherever I go.”
“I’m really looking forward to visiting The Christie and The Nightingale Centre, meeting the team and learning more about the BCAN-RAY study, and how their work is helping to find new ways of predicting breast cancer risk in younger women."
Louise Hadley, CEO of The Christie Charity, said, "We are honoured to welcome Opal to The Christie hospital and grateful for her support in raising awareness of breast cancer and the work being done to detect, prevent and treat it.
“Her visit will be a valuable opportunity for her to hear more about the BCAN-RAY study, which shares important goals with her ‘Opal for Her’ campaign in promoting better outcomes for women through awareness and innovation in breast cancer care.”
Nikki Barraclough, chief executive of Prevent Breast Cancer, said: “Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, and its affecting growing numbers of young women globally. But there is so much incredible work being done to reverse these numbers, and I’m delighted that Opal, as Miss World, is committed to promoting better health outcomes for women with breast cancer. Her visit will show her just a fraction of the research and clinical developments being made in the area of breast cancer prevention.”
The Nightingale Centre is the one of the largest purpose-built breast centres in Europe and is headquarters to the British charity Prevent Breast Cancer.
Anyone wishing to donate to the Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal, go to our Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal webpage.
To support the work of The Christie Charity, please go to Donate today or ring 0161 446 3988.