Book into the library to reduce cancer risk

Senior cancer awareness nurse Jessica Turner, who will co-run the Oldham Your Cancer Awareness, pictured on the roadshow

A NEW cancer awareness hub is set to open in Oldham to help reduce the risk of cancer and detect it early.

The Cancer Research UK initiative will see a 'Your Cancer Awareness Hub' operate out of Oldham Library to help residents make positive lifestyle changes.

Cancer awareness nurses Jessica Turner and Louise Dewhurst will hold fortnightly drop-in sessions at the library enabling Oldhamers to return for ongoing support.

The community-based hub has been successfully piloted and is an offshoot of the North West Cancer Awareness Roadshow.

The free sessions will focus on improving residents' lifestyles in line with experts' calculations that more than four in 10 cases of cancer could be prevented in the UK, largely through healthier lifestyles.

Every day around 110 people in the North West receive the news that they have cancer and the number of people being diagnosed with the disease in the region has reached around 41,700 cases every year.

Forward

Cancer Research UK nurse Jessica Turner said: "We're so proud to launch Cancer Research UK's new Your Cancer Awareness Hub in Oldham and are really looking forward to getting to know as many people as possible across the region in the months to come.

"Cancer is a disease which has affected almost everyone in some way so the opening of this new hub will be of great benefit to the local and wider community.

"We hope our regular presence in the community will encourage people to take on board cancer awareness messages. It will allow us to follow up with visitors when needed and we can guide them along the way, helping them to act on their intentions and take positive action as a result."

Jessica and Louise will provide 'Your journey' cards and action plans to help visitors think about their health goals and track their progress.

Residents are invited to the next session at Oldham Library on Thursday, August 10, between 11.30am and 6pm.

Future visits include August 31, September 13, September 28, October 12, October 26, November 9, November 23 and December 7.

For more information about how to reduce the risk of cancer and detect it early visit www.cancerawarenessroadshow.org.uk.