A bright blue van is touring Greater Manchester to raise awareness about bowel cancer, its symptoms, and the importance of screening.
Residents are encouraged to step aboard to learn how to identify the early signs of bowel cancer and get information about screening options.
The initiative aims to help people recognise potential symptoms earlier when the disease is more treatable.
The van began its journey in Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens in November as part of the NHS Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance’s This Van Can projects.
Over the next six months, it will visit all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester.
Shared goal of saving lives
The roadshow was developed collaboratively by NHS staff and bowel cancer patients with the shared goal of saving lives.
Specially trained ambassadors on the van will provide guidance on spotting symptoms, knowing when to seek medical advice, and using the simple at-home screening test known as the FIT test.
Roger Prudham, Clinical Lead for colorectal cancer in Greater Manchester, said: “Finding bowel cancer early makes all the difference.
“Research shows that around nine 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 on the roads across Greater Manchester – visiting shopping centres and high streets – and 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 eligible people.”
‘Don’t be embarrassed’
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 these symptoms for three weeks or more, your GP would like to speak to you about it. Don’t be embarrassed – we have these conversations daily and 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 from getting help.”
Van locations and dates
Manchester
- Longsight Market – December 5
- Tesco, Blackley – December 6
- Wythenshawe Town Centre – December 7
Salford
- Tesco, Irlam – December 12 and 20
- Tesco, Salford – December 13 and 21
- Walkden Town Centre – December 14 and 19
Following the Christmas break, the van will move to Trafford and Stockport and then on to the rest of Greater Manchester.
When available, further locations will be available on www.thisvancan.co.uk.
