BH Live is taking part in a cancer awareness and screening event in the Sovereign Centre, High St, Boscombe, this Saturday 20 May 2017. Residents are invited to come along for a chance to win a signed AFC Bournemouth football shirt and passes to BH Live activities.
To help raise awareness of cancer symptoms and the importance of accepting screening invitations, there will be a giant inflatable colon on the high street that demonstrates the various stages of bowel cancer and other diseases of the large bowel.
Bower cancer is highly treatable if diagnosed early.
Maintaining a healthy weight; eating a healthy diet; reducing your intake of red meat and drinking less alcohol all help to reduce the overall risk of developing cancer.
Four in 10 cancers are preventable through lifestyle change, with the main risk factors including smoking, weight and diet, alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity and sun exposure.
Health professionals from Royal Bournemouth Christchurch Hospitals Foundation Trust will be on hand to offer medical advice on screening advice and cancer symptoms.
Wessex Cancer Trust, Macmillan and Cancer Research UK will be providing guidance on preventing cancer and support for those already affected.
Laura Watson, Macmillan GP said: “The vision of the event is to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer, to encourage early diagnosis and to help people understand the message that making healthy lifestyle choices can actually prevent many cancers from developing.
“By raising awareness of how cancers can be preventable, plus the importance of early detection from screening, we hope to improve the overall health of Boscombe.”
BH Live has donated two family swim passes and two one-hour personal trainer passes to use at any of their leisure centres in Bournemouth.
BH Live’s health and activity professionals will be promoting its Bournemouth After Cancer Survivorship Programme (BACSUP) – a free, friendly, specialist-led, eight-week personalised health, fitness and wellbeing programme for people living with and beyond cancer.
In addition, general advice about lifestyle choices will be available, along with details about all the different activities BH Live runs across the borough, including free community health walks and discounted group exercise classes.
Matthew Hayes, Clinical Director for Cancer Clinical Network said: “As doctors we are often asked ‘What can I do to reduce my chances of getting cancer, and what should I be looking out for?’ I hope that anyone who shares these concerns will join us in Boscombe at the Sovereign Centre, where we look forward to talking with you and answering your questions.
I am delighted to have the support of AFC Bournemouth who will be joining us at the Sovereign Centre – after all, cherries certainly count as one of your five-a-day!”
The event runs from 9:30am to 4:30pm. The prize draw will take place at 3pm.
Notes for editors
This event is a joint collaboration between NHS England Wessex Clinical Networks, Royal Bournemouth Christchurch Hospitals NHS Trust, Macmillan, Cancer Research UK, Livewell Dorset, My Health My Way, Dorset CCG, Public Heath England, BH Live, Healthwatch Dorset, Wessex Voices and Dorset Race Equality Council.
Boscombe is an area with a young population; over 70% of Boscombe is under the age of 50 and is ethnically diverse. Boscombe population data can be found:
https://bournemouth.gov.uk/councildemocratic/Statistics/Census/CensusResultsByWard.aspx
The ‘Show Cancer the Red Card’ is taking place at the Sovereign Centre, Boscombe, 9:30-16:30.
Jeff Mostyn, AFC Bournemouth Chairman, will be drawing the prizes at 15:00.