Sefton 'Cancer Chancer' Campaign hopes to save 100 lives

Sefton residents are being encouraged to beat cancer by catching it early, as a new campaign sweeps through the area this month.

The ‘Don’t be a Cancer Chancer’ campaign will connect with the local community to encourage people over 50, who may delay a visit to their GP, to seek medical attention earlier if they suspect the first signs of Lung, Breast or Bowel cancer: a persistent cough, usual breast lump or rectal bleeding (a bleeding bum).

Cancer accounts for about a quarter of all deaths and is the second most common cause of death in Sefton. It is also the most common cause of premature death in the area.
The ‘Don’t be a Cancer Chancer’ campaign, run by NHS Sefton and NHS Wirral hopes that hundreds of lives will be saved by informing people of specific symptoms of various cancers so they seek medical help to detect them sooner.

Previous ‘Don’t be a Cancer Chancer’ campaigns run in parts of Manchester and Wigan, led by the Christie Hospital in conjunction with NHS, local councils and supporters, resulted in a 55 per cent rise in the number of GP referrals to hospitals.

The ‘Don’t be a Cancer Chancer’ road show will target Sefton residents aged over 50 at supermarkets and shopping areas for the next five weeks to raise awareness of the symptoms of cancer and ask people to look out for early signs such as a persistent cough or an unusual breast lump.

The programme will bring together health care professionals, council officers, patients and the public.

Hannah Chellaswamy, Acting Director of Public Health for NHS Sefton and Sefton Council: “Sadly too many lives are lost every year in the borough to cancer. Through the ‘Don’t be a Cancer Chancer’ campaign we are engaging with local communities to reassure them that if they go to their doctor with symptoms they think are unusual and they are proven to be cancer they can be treated and ultimately their life can be saved.

“By having a presence locally and being able to talk to residents face to face about their concerns we hope to spread this important message across our communities.”

For more information, please contact:

Emma McCormick/Charlotte Tyler
McCann Manchester
On behalf of NHS Sefton and NHS Wirral
E: emma.mccormick@europe.mccann.com/charlotte.tyler@europe.mccann.com
T: 01625 822629/ 01625 822649