Cancer Awareness Roadshow visit in Solihull

Lorely Burt MP last week visited a Cancer Awareness Roadshow event in Solihull, where along with visitors, she was taught how to spot cancer early.

Ms Burt joined nurses at the Cancer Awareness Roadshow at the Mell Square shopping centre in Solihull to learn more about how people in Solihull can reduce their risk of cancer and spot signs and symptoms of the disease at an early stage.

The Roadshow is organised by Cancer Research UK, and the nurses on board provide information to visitors on the link between lifestyle and cancer, the signs and symptoms of cancer, and the importance of screening.

During her visit Ms Burt met Solihull administrative assistant Marcella Floyd (54) whose symptoms were caught in time to prevent her developing bowel cancer.

Marcella, from Shirley, had surgery in 2009 to remove half her bowel along with a pre-cancerous tumour after her daughter nagged her to visit the doctor with possible bowel cancer symptoms.

She said: “It was a pleasure to meet Lorely Burt MP and stress to her the importance of early detection. Without a doubt, if the growth in my bowel had been left it would have become cancerous. My daughter was studying to become a nurse at the time so I have her to thank for nagging me. I’m sure she saved my life.”

Ms Burt also met representatives from the Bowel Cancer Screening team at the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, who encourage local people between 60 and 74 to attend screening.

Ms Burt said: “I was very impressed with my visit to the Roadshow and the vitally important advice and information that it provides. I particularly enjoyed meeting Marcella and the representatives from the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, and was shocked to hear that around three people in the West Midlands are diagnosed with cancer every hour.”

“When cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, treatment is often simpler and more likely to be effective. So I wholeheartedly support Cancer Research UK’s call to spot cancer as soon as possible. Early detection saves lives.”

Cancer Awareness Roadshow nurse, Christine Campbell said: “We were delighted to have Lorely Burt MP on board helping us to spread the word. More people than ever are now surviving cancer, but thousands of cancer deaths could still be prevented each year if more cancers were diagnosed at an early stage.

“If you notice any unusual or persistent changes in your body, visit your GP without delay. If it is something serious then finding it early could make all the difference.”

Since launching in 2006, in partnership with the Marie Keating Foundation, the Cancer Awareness Roadshow has seen more than 190,000 visitors in over 200 cities and towns across the UK.

To find out more about the Cancer Awareness Roadshow and how to detect cancer early visit our Cancer Awareness Roadshow web page.