Campaigners bid to tackle cancer

EVENT . . . (l-r) Jessica Turner, Cancer Research UK Senior Cancer Awareness Nurse, Councillor Eddie Moores and Stacey Arnold, event organiser, at Civic Centre, Oldham

A DAY of action has been held in Oldham to raise awareness about cancer.

Staff from Cancer Research UK organised the event at the Civic Centre to kick-start a week of action ahead of World Cancer Day 2017 on February 4.

Senior cancer awareness nurse Jessica Turner was stationed at the Oldham Council building yesterday as part of a national roadshow to provide information.

Council staff also had the opportunity to step into a drug discovery laboratory using a special virtual reality headset at the event yesterday.

Event host Councillor Eddie Moores, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: "Oldham Council was really pleased to support this event for staff and to help raise awareness about cancer prevention and spotting the signs and symptoms of cancer early.

"We are keen to promote a healthy workforce who are some of our best champions for healthy lifestyles and cancer awareness within the borough.

"Today, staff had the chance to take a virtual tour of a cancer research laboratory, which was really interesting, and to hear about some of the important work taking place in the area."

Cancer Research staff were on hand with practical information.

Oldham's health and wellbeing service Positive Steps were also in attendance to offer support to smokers hoping to go smoke-free.

Smoking is the single biggest preventable cause of cancer and smokers are about three times more likely to quit successfully with the help of GPs, pharmacies and Stop Smoking Services.

Health checks were available for staff and Macmillan Cancer Care were there to explain how they help improve the lives of residents affected by cancer.

Event organiser Stacey Arnold, from Cancer Research UK, said: "Our vision is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.

"This event is one of many being held across the country in the run up to World Cancer Day on Saturday.

"More than four in 10 cancers could be prevented, largely through lifestyle changes, so we've also been spreading the word about the ways people can stack their odds against cancer, whether that's by stopping smoking, being more active or other lifestyle changes.

"We look forward to working with Oldham Council in the future to help us to boost cancer prevention and detect cancer cases earlier, when the chances of successful treatment are increased."