The Cancer Awareness Roadshow will be at the City of Wolverhampton Market tomorrow (Tuesday 14 May) from 9am to 3pm and Morrisons in Bilston on Wednesday (15 May) from 10am to 4pm.
Visitors will be able to talk to experts from Cancer Research UK about how to reduce the risk of cancer, spotting cancer early and the importance of screening for certain types of cancer, find out about local health services, take home free health information and have an in-depth and confidential chat with specialist nurses if they wish.
They can also take a Smokerlyzer® test to measure the carbon monoxide levels in their breath and check their Body Mass Index (BMI) to see if their weight is within a healthy range.
Sophie Tring, Cancer Research UK Senior Roadshow Manager, said: “Experts estimate around four in 10 cases of cancer could be prevented each year in the UK.
“We are looking forward to talking to lots of people from the West Midlands about the steps they can take to help reduce their risk of cancer through changes like stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake and keeping a healthy weight.”
In particular, people will be able to find out more about bowel cancer, the UK's second biggest cancer killer. More than 40,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year but the good news is that 9 out of 10 people survive if it is diagnosed early enough.
John Denley, Wolverhampton’s Director of Public Health, said: “Cancer is a terrible disease which sadly claims the lives of thousands of people every year.
“Early diagnosis is crucial for increasing the survival rate – but unfortunately too many people are still not being diagnosed early enough, often because they are either not aware of the symptoms they need to be looking out for, or because they are too scared to go to the doctors to talk about the problem.
“We are pleased to be working with Cancer Research UK to raise awareness of cancer, how they can reduce their risk and what they should do if they think something is not quite right.”
To find out more about cancer, including symptoms, treatment and coping with diagnosis, please visit Cancer Research UK.
The roadshow is sponsored by the Marie Keating Foundation, which was set up by Ronan Keating and his family in memory of their mum Marie who died from breast cancer.
Ronan said: “It’s really important that people know to go to their GP if they notice any changes to their bodies that are unusual or persistent. And that there’s lots we can all do to help reduce the risk of cancer.
“The roadshow helps to get these messages out to people as they go about their daily lives in town centres, shopping malls and community centres. My family and I are very proud to support the Cancer Research UK Cancer Awareness Roadshow and we think our mum would be pleased with the work we are doing.”
