Cancer Research UK will be hosting its latest free monthly drop-in Cancer Awareness Roadshow at Antonine Shopping Centre in Cumbernauld town centre this week.
Rolled out as part of Cumbernauld Community Health Information Hub, the information surgery at Antonine Shopping Centre (Tryst Road, Cumbernauld, G67 1JW) is on Wednesday 11 August 2021 from 10.00am-4.00pm. It provides Cumbernauld citizens with an opportunity to chat with and ask questions of a specialist cancer nurse, have their Body Mass Index (BMI) measured and pick up some free health information and resources.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) permitting, the organisation will also host one cancer information surgery per month to November 2021, meaning that cancer nurses will be on hand approximately every four weeks within Cumbernauld town centre.
Formed in 2002 as a merger of two long-running former cancer charities, Cancer Research UK aims to reduce the number of deaths from cancer. As the world’s largest independent cancer research charity, it conducts research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Research activities are carried out in institutes, universities and hospitals across the UK, both by the charity’s own employees and by its grant-funded researchers. It also provides information about cancer and runs campaigns aimed at raising awareness of the disease and influencing public policy.
Cancer Research UK’s work is almost entirely funded by the public. It raises money through donations, legacies, community fundraising, events, retail and corporate partnerships. The organisation has approximately 40,000 volunteers across the UK.
The worldwide impact of cancer is devastating, with statistics indicating that 9.6 million people die every year from cancer in the world, which is more than those who die from HIV / AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. By 2030, experts project cancer deaths will rise to 13 million per annum, unless significant action is taken.
In Scotland, about 30,000 people each year are told that they have cancer, and this is expected to rise to almost 35,000 this year. The increasing number in this country can be partially attributed to the nation’s ageing population as life expectancy increases, but worldwide a multitude of factors exist, including poverty, lack of education and poor healthcare.
Whilst it is known that there are many different types of cancer (over 200 in total), all the causes are not yet known. It is known, however, that certain factors that can affect your risk of developing cancer. Lifestyle factors that can reduce your risk of cancer include stopping smoking, eating a healthy diet, being physically active, practicing safe sex, wearing sunscreen and following recommended alcohol guidelines.
Over the last year, Cumbernauld Community Health Information Hub published feature articles to raise awareness of childhood cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, bowel cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer and pancreatic cancer.
There are over 200 charities operating in Scotland with a central objective of supporting the fight against cancer. To show your support, you can volunteer with or donate to organisations such as Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, Cancer Support Scotland, Bowel Cancer UK, Maggie’s Lanarkshire, Young Lives vs Cancer, Teenage Cancer Trust and Breast Cancer Now, to name just a few.
Knowing how your body normally looks and feels can help you be aware of any changes that could be caused by cancer. There are many different symptoms of cancer. Common symptoms including unexplained bleeding, unexplained weight loss, a lump or swelling, or unexplained pain.
In most cases, these symptoms are caused by something other than cancer. But it’s important not to ignore these symptoms, particularly if they persist and are causing problems. Make an appointment with your GP if you are in any doubt.
There are simple things you can do daily to check for signs and symptoms of cancer, such as checking your breasts for lumps if you are a woman and checking your testicles for lumps if you are a man.
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CANCER AWARENESS ROADSHOW: CUMBERNAULD DATES 2021
Wednesday 11 August 2021 | 10.00am-4.00pm at Antonine Shopping Centre (Tryst Road, Cumbernauld, G67 1JW)
Wednesday 8 September 2021 | 10.00am-4.00pm at Antonine Shopping Centre (Tryst Road, Cumbernauld, G67 1JW)
Wednesday 6 October 2021 | 10.00am-4.00pm at Antonine Shopping Centre (Tryst Road, Cumbernauld, G67 1JW)
Wednesday 10 November 2021 | 10.00am-4.00pm at Antonine Shopping Centre (Tryst Road, Cumbernauld, G67 1JW)
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Remember when visiting Cancer Awareness Roadshows to comply with latest Scottish Government guidelines in relation to coronavirus, including wearing a face mask and observing social distancing.