Come along to the cancer awareness and screening event in the Sovereign Centre, Boscombe, this Saturday 20 May 2017, for your chance to win a signed AFC Bournemouth football shirt and passes to BH Live leisure centres.
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.
Bowel 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.”
Among the organisations attending are BH Live, who has donated two family swim passes and two one-hour personal trainer passes to use at any of their leisure centres.
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!”
Peter Ruscoe, Sovereign Shopping Centre Manager said:
“Health is such an important topic – We’re delighted to be a part of improving the local knowledge of cancers, preventive measures and their detection.”
The event runs from 9:30am to 4:30pm. The prize draw will take place at 3pm.
Bank Holidays 8am – 6pm
Closed Easter Sunday, Christmas Day & New Year's Day