Singer Ronan in plea over cancer checks

Cancer Awareness Nurses Jessica Turner and Nassreen Hearne.

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

POP star Ronan Keating is encouraging Oldhamers to visit a Cancer Awareness Roadshow as it pulls into Oldham this week.

Ronan, who lost his mum Marie to breast cancer, is urging people in the North-West to visit the Cancer Research UK Awareness Roadshow to find out about early diagnosis and the importance of going to the doctor with any health concerns.

The North-West Roadshow, staffed by specially trained Cancer Research UK nurses, will be in Albion Street, Oldham, from 10am to 4pm tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday.

Crucial

The roadshow was founded in 2006 in partnership with the Marie Keating Foundation, which was set up by Ronan Keating and his family in memory of their mum.

Ronan said: “This year we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Cancer Awareness Roadshow in the UK.

“I am so proud of the crucial part we have played in this, and we have seen our partnership grow from strength to strength.

“I want to say a big thank-you to everyone in Ireland and the UK who has supported us in making this possible, and I know that my mother would be proud of what we have achieved.”

Every year, around 331,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in the UK, including 110 a day in the North-West.

But experts estimate that more than four in 10 cases of cancer could be prevented in the UK, largely through healthier lifestyles. At the roadshow, visitors can have a confidential conversation with a nurse who can offer support to help make positive changes to lifestyle and encourage them to go to their GP with any health concerns.

They can also find out their BMI (body mass index) to check if their weight is in a healthy range.

Jessica Turner, senior cancer awareness nurse for Cancer Research UK in the North-West, said: “The Roadshow allows us to get important information out to people as they go about their busy lives — we are literally on the road to beating cancer.

Steps

“We are looking forward to talking to lots of different people across Oldham about the small steps we can all take to reduce the risk of cancer and why it’s important to seek help if they notice an unusual or persistent change to their body.”

To find out more about the Cancer Awareness Roadshow or how to reduce the risk of cancer and detect it early, visit www.cancerawarenessroadshow.org.uk or follow the North-West Roadshow team on Twitter @CRUKroadshow_NW #YourHealthMatters

email: lucykenderdine@oldham-chronicle.co.uk