A potentially life-saving project brought "pivotal" cancer awareness messages into the heart of the Meadow Well community this week. The C-Aware project, operated by the Fisherman's Mission and Macmillan, is based locally at the North Shields Fish Quay and held a special event in partnership with Cedarwood Trust charity.
Increasing cancer awareness
The idea was to, with the help of a range of cancer charities and support from the NHS and local authority, increase cancer awareness so people living in the area have a clearer idea of what they need to watch out for when it comes to their cancer risk. It is hoped this will drive up screening rates and see lethal cancers caught soon.
Deb Johnstone, the Fisherman's Mission's cancer community project manager, said: "It's part of bringing key cancer messages to this community. It's about improving lifestyle as well as cancer screening and giving this community pivotal information early so we can increase the early uptake of cancer screening."
Event details and support
The event, which ran from 10am to 1pm, was billed as an opportunity to raise cancer awareness and to "support residents to make positive lifestyle choices that can help reduce their risk of developing cancer". Groups helping to do this included GPs, practice nurses, North Tyneside Council's public health team and local Stop Smoking and drug and alcohol services. There was even a children's art competition and performance from a band.
Deb added: "Our ambition is to bring health into the heart of the neighbourhood by taking services directly into the community, reducing barriers to engagement, challenging myths and misconceptions about cancer, tackling stigma, and encouraging open conversations about health and wellbeing. By meeting people where they are, we hope to build trust, increase awareness, and support earlier access to prevention and screening services."
