Cancer awareness roadshow to visit Wigan

Wiganers will be able to find out how to make positive health changes and stack their odds against cancer.
Nassreen Hearne and Jessica CampbellNassreen Hearne and Jessica Campbell
Nassreen Hearne and Jessica Campbell

Around 1,800 people are diagnosed with cancer in Wigan every year and around 840 people die from the disease.

But experts estimate around four in 10 cases of cancer could be prevented in the UK, largely through healthier lifestyles.

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So Cancer Research UK nurses are visiting Wigan town centre to hold a cancer awareness roadshow and help people find out more about the condition.

They will be based on Standishgate from 10am to 4pm on Tuesday, May 8 and Wednesday, May 9.

Nurses will give out information about how to help spot cancer early – when it is more likely to be treated successfully - and there will be an on-board consultation room to discuss any cancer concerns.

They will also encourage people to go to their GP with any concerns.

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Ceri Eames, Cancer Research UK cancer awareness nurse manager in the North West, said: "The roadshow is a chance for us to talk to people about steps they can take to help reduce their risk of cancer through changes like stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake or being more active.

"As well as leaflets, we have lots of props so visitors can handle a tar jar to see the effect smoking 10 cigarettes a day for a year or hold specially created ‘fat lumps’ to show just how much difference losing 1lb or 5lbs makes.

"We can also carry out Smokerlyzer tests to show how much carbon monoxide is in someone’s breath - and body mass index tests to show someone if they are in a healthy weight range."

More than 600,000 people have visited the Cancer Research UK roadshow since it started in 2006.

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Around 7,747 people visited the roadshow when it toured the North West last year and nurses measured 673 waists, took 896 body mass index (BMI) tests and carried out 250 Smokerlyzer tests.

The North West roadshow is sponsored by the Marie Keating Foundation, which was set up by singer Ronan Keating and his family in memory of their mum Marie who died from breast cancer.

To find out more, visit www.cancerawarenessroadshow.org.uk or follow @CRUKroadshow_NW on Twitter.