Cancer Awareness Roadshow rolls into Rochdale

Senior Cancer Awareness Nurse Jessica Turner

The North West Cancer Awareness Roadshow, staffed by specially trained Cancer Research UK nurses, will be based indoors at Rochdale Central Library on Tuesday 15 November between 10.00am and 4.00pm and at Rochdale Leisure Centre, Entwistle Road, on Wednesday and Thursday 16 and 17 November between 10.00am and 4.00pm.

Pop star Ronan Keating is urging people in attend the Cancer Research UK Cancer Awareness Roadshow, set up to help save lives.

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

Alison Barbuti, Cancer research UK North West spokesperson for Cancer Research UK, said: “Our roadshow means people can have a confidential conversation with a nurse who can offer support to help them make positive changes to their lifestyle and encourage them to go to their GP with any health concerns.”

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

The Cancer Research UK nurses will also be able to talk on a variety of topics as well as offer stop smoking information and smokerlyser tests and information about the importance of keeping active during their visit this week.

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 over 4 out of every 10 cases of cancer could be prevented in the UK, largely through healthier lifestyles.

The Cancer Awareness 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. The North West Cancer Awareness Roadshow provides a convenient drop in information point for the local community.

More than half a million people have now visited the Cancer Awareness Roadshow – which has teams in Scotland, London, the North West and the North East – since its launch in 2006. And over 20,000 people visited the North West Roadshow last year.

Ronan Keating 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’s supported us in making this possible, and I know that my mother would be proud of what we have achieved.”

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.

"We are looking forward to talking to lots of different people in Rochdale 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.”