Look out for the bright blue van touring Tameside to raise bowel cancer awareness

Tameside residents are invited to pop on board to get information about how to spot bowel cancer and learn about bowel cancer screening. It’s hoped the touring van will help people recognise potential bowel cancer symptoms at an earlier stage, when it’s more treatable.

The van will be visiting:

• Thursday 6 February, 10am – 6pm: Morrisons, Dukinfield
• Friday 7 February 10am – 6pm: Tesco, Droylsden
• Saturday 8 February, 9am – 5pm: Hyde Market
• Thursday 13 February, 9am – 5pm: Hyde Market
• Friday 14 February 10am – 6pm: Morrisons, Dukinfield
• Saturday 15 February 10am – 6pm: Tesco, Droylsden

The van, which is part of a number of “This Van Can” projects being run by the NHS Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, started its tour in Manchester Piccadilly Gardens on Thursday 28 November, and will spend the next six months visiting all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester. NHS staff and bowel cancer patients have worked together to develop the roadshow and hope it will help save lives.

Specially trained ambassadors on the van will teach people about the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, and when to seek help. They will also be able to talk people through how to complete the easy, at-home screening test – also known as a FIT test.

Recent data shows that Tameside has 49 deaths from bowel cancer each year, alongside 410 new diagnoses annually.

Roger Prudham, Clinical Lead for colorectal cancer in Greater Manchester, said:

“Finding bowel cancer early makes all the difference. Research shows that around 9 out of 10 people will survive bowel cancer when it’s diagnosed at its earliest stage. We really want to find as many cancers as possible as early as we can to help save more lives. Helping people know what to look out for is an important part of that. Our bowel cancer awareness van will be out on the roads across Greater Manchester – visiting shopping centres and high streets – helping people understand what they need to look out for.

“The team will also be able to help with advice about the bowel cancer screening programme for those who are eligible.”

Cllr Taf Sharif, Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Population Health and Wellbeing, said: “Early diagnosis saves lives, and This Van Can is a brilliant way to break down barriers, get people talking about their health, and spread awareness of the importance of bowel screening. By bringing this initiative to Tameside and every other borough in Greater Manchester, we’re taking important steps towards reducing the devastating impact of bowel cancer in our communities.”

Sarah Taylor, a Greater Manchester GP, said:

“Symptoms of bowel cancer could include blood in your poo or bleeding from your bottom, pain or a lump in your tummy, or losing weight without trying. If you’ve had any of these symptoms for three weeks or more, your GP would really like to speak to you about it. Don’t be embarrassed – we have these conversations every day, and we can help.

“Chances are it’s not cancer – these symptoms can have lots of other causes too – but if it is cancer, the sooner we spot it the easier it is to treat.”

Vanessa, from Trafford, was treated for bowel cancer at the Manchester Royal Infirmary in 2005, and will be on hand at the roadshow to talk to members of the public as a This Van Can Ambassador. She said:

“As a bowel cancer patient myself, I understand how even thinking about the possibility of having cancer can be really scary, but please don’t let that stop you getting help.

“If you see the van, please do pop on for a chat. We can talk you through what signs and symptoms to look out for, and even the best way to do your at-home screening test when you get one. We’re here to help.”

Find all upcoming dates and further information about the van by visiting www.thisvancan.co.uk