Oldham nurses are Standing up to Cancer

Cancer awareness nurses in Oldham are supporting Stand Up To Cancer - a joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 which raises money to fund vital research which will get new and better treatments to cancer patients faster. 

Cancer Research UK nurses Helen Higham and Louise Dewhurst donned wrist bands and showed off T-shirts to highlight this year’s Stand Up To Cancer campaign.

The team, who offer free health information to members of the public at fortnightly You Cancer Awareness Hubs, were stationed at Oldham Library today (Thursday).

Stand Up To Cancer wrist bands and merchandise are currently on sale online at standuptocancer.org as part of the Stand Up To Cancer fundraising campaign which will culminate with an unforgettable night of live television on Friday, October 26.

Every hour, around five people are diagnosed with cancer in the North West. 

Stand Up To Cancer unites scientists, celebrities and communities.

It’s supported by a host of stars including Davina McCall, Edith Bowman, Alan Carr, Joel Dommett and Kirsty Allsopp.

Money raised for Stand Up To Cancer helps take developments from the lab and transform them, quickly, into brand new tests and treatments for cancer patients. 

Since it was launched in the UK in 2012, Stand Up To Cancer has raised over £38 million to support life-saving research.

This includes the development of the ‘chemo-package’ to deliver treatment at the best time for the patient; investigations into whether exercise can prevent cancer from returning and using MRI to turn radiotherapy into a more precise, personalised and powerful anti-cancer weapon.

The Your Cancer Awareness Hub team who offer information about how to spot cancer early – when treatment is more likely to be successful, as well as how the disease can be prevented, will be returning to Oldham Library on Thursdays, November 1, 15 and 29.

The team talk to visitors about how to help reduce the risk of cancer by making changes like ditching the cigarettes or cutting down on alcohol. 

Experts estimate around 4 in 10 cases of cancer could be prevented in the UK, largely through making positive health changes.

Cancer Awareness nurse Helen Higham said: “The Hub 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 providing leaflets, we can also carry out Smokerlyzer tests to show how much carbon monoxide is in someone’s breath - and body mass index (BMI) tests to show someone if they are in a healthy weight range.”

The Hub is part of Cancer Research UK’s continued programme to make health information as accessible as possible to the public. Cancer Research UK nurses have met over 600,000 people since launching their community Cancer Awareness Roadshows in 2006 and adding their Your Cancer Awareness Hubs in 2016.

To find out more about how to reduce the risk of cancer and detect it early, visit: cruk.org/spotcancerearly.

To find out more about supporting, go to: standuptocancer.org.uk

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