New roadshow comes to East Midlands/
News Release Nottingham to increase awareness of
persistent tummy troubles as possible
New roadshow comes to Nottingham
to increase awareness
signs of cancer
of persistent tummy troubles as possible signs of cancer
Protecting and improving the nation's health
m to increase awareness
ossible signs of cancer
A new Be Clear on Cancer
roadshow has visited
a number of places of
worship and community
organisations
across
the Midlands, including
God’s Vineyard Church,
United Holy Church
and Full Gospel Revival
Centre in Nottingham, to raise awareness that
tummy troubles lasting for three weeks or more
could be a sign of cancer, but diagnosing it early
makes it more treatable.
In East Midlands around 25,300 people are diagnosed
with cancer each year and around 11,700 people die
of the disease. The roadshow, which is part of a wider
campaign that has been launched by Public Health
England in the Midlands, is encouraging anyone
suffering from symptoms such as persistent diarrhoea,
bloating or discomfort in the tummy area, to see their
doctor. These problems can be a sign of a number of
different cancers, such as bowel, ovarian or pancreatic.
The Be Clear on Cancer roadshow has been touring
the Midlands. At the roadshow events, campaign
information leaflets have been distributed and trained
community ambassadors have been engaging in
conversations with Black Africans, Caribbeans and
South Asians about the campaign.
Around nine in 10 cases of cancer are diagnosed in
people aged 50 or over, and the earlier it is diagnosed,
the greater the chances of survival. Raising awareness
is crucial, as a recent survey in the Midlands shows that
only one in six (16%) over 50s would see their GP if they
felt bloated for more than three weeks and only one in
four (24%) would go to the GP if they had experienced
discomfort in the tummy area for over three weeks.
Olawale Ogunmola from God’s Vineyard Church in
Lenton, Nottingham said: “The Be Clear on Cancer
campaign is a great initiative, helping the local
community become more knowledgeable about the
symptoms of cancers via outreach activity and ethnic
media.”
The campaign is also being supported by local
celebrities Emile Heskey and Micah Richards:
Former professional footballer who grew up in the
Midlands, Emile Heskey, said: “It is really important
to be raising awareness about the different signs of
cancer within the black community. I wouldn’t have
thought that having persistent tummy troubles could
be a sign of cancer, but now I know, I want to help
spread the word so that others know too.
Professional footballer for Aston Villa who lives in
the Midlands, Micah Richards said: “We know that
cancer is still a taboo in the black community but we
need to talk openly about it especially as knowing the
possible signs of cancer and going to see the doctor
if you have any of them could save your life. Go to
your doctor, don’t be embarrassed or shy about it.
It’s probably nothing serious but it could be a sign of
cancer. Talk to your loved ones too. If you know anyone
who has any of these symptoms, encourage them to
see their doctor.”
Ogunmola from God’s Vineyard Church in
Nottingham said: “The Be Clear on Cancer
is a great initiative, helping the local
ty become more knowledgeable about the
Furthermore, the survey found many residents are
s of
cancers
via
outreach
and ethnic
concerned
that they
would
be wasting their activity
GP’s time
if they went to see them about such problems. The
Be Clear on Cancer community ambassadors have
been encouraging people who may be experiencing
persistent tummy troubles to see their GP and
explaining that their doctor will want to see them.
For further information about tummy troubles
as possible signs of cancer, please visit nhs.uk/
tummytroubles.
paign is also being supported by local