Do your bit to fight cancer

OLDHAMERS are being urged to show their support for World Cancer Day today as new research reveals cancer death rates in the North-West have fallen by 11 per cent in 10 years.

Cancer Research UK is encouraging everyone to wear a Unity Band or make a donation to demonstrate their support for people affected by cancer and help beat the disease more quickly.

Research has proved to be the key factor in reducing the number of lives lost to cancer, with improved knowledge about prevention, surgical techniques, targeted therapies and more effective drugs all boosting outcomes.

But mortality rates for some cancers have increased in the same period: deaths from liver cancer have soared by 60 per cent in the decade, and pancreatic cancer deaths by eight per cent.

Alison Barbuti, Cancer Research UK spokesman for the region, said: “Today, on World Cancer Day, it’s important to remember that even though the death rates are falling, the overall number of people dying from cancer is expected to increase - the population is growing and more of us are living longer.

“World Cancer Day provides an opportunity to band together and show that, united ,we can beat cancer sooner.”

Cancer Research UK has joined leading cancer charities Breast Cancer Care, Anthony Nolan and the Movember Foundation — to help to transform the lives of millions of people affected by the disease.

Unity bands, available from each charity in their own colours, are available for a suggested donation of £2 at www.worldcancerday.co.uk

The Oldham and Chadderton Cancer Research UK fundraising committee will also be holding a bucket collection and giving out Unity Bands at Tesco in Middleton on World Cancer Day.



AN inspirational podcast intended to support anyone facing cancer has been released by cancer charity Maggie’s ahead of the start of construction of its new centre at the Royal Oldham Hospital later this year.

Released today as part of World Cancer Day, the charity, which offers free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends, has launched the “All Together Now” digital audio podcast.

The podcast, the first in Maggie’s inspirational series, features interviews by BBC presenter Victoria Derbyshire, from Bury, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

To listen, visit www.maggiescentres.org/podcast