‘Check it, don’t chance it’ is the message behind new Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Alliance campaign

Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Alliance has launched a major campaign aimed at tackling the issue of late cancer diagnoses – and, in turn, saving lives.

The message is ‘Check it, don’t chance it – act now on cancer’, encouraging people to seek medical advice promptly if they notice symptoms that persist.

Early diagnosis of cancer dramatically improves survival rates. Detecting cancer early means it is less likely to have spread, and treatment is more likely to be effective.

Currently, only 56 per cent of cancers in Lancashire and South Cumbria are diagnosed at stages 1 and 2, compared to 59 per cent nationally. The Alliance’s ambition is to meet the national target of 78 per cent by 2032.

Dr Neil Smith, primary care director at Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Alliance, said: “Raising awareness of common cancer symptoms is central to our ambitions, which would see more than three quarters of cancers being diagnosed at an early stage.

“Any new lump or bump, a pain that won’t go away, blood in poo or wee, or unexplained weight loss – they’re all things that you should get checked right away. Most people with new symptoms don't have cancer, but it is still important to seek medical advice.

“We hear all the time of people who wait until things get really bad or they don’t want to waste their doctor’s time, but if something doesn’t seem right, don’t put it off. Your doctor will want to see you.”

The ‘Check it, don’t chance it’ campaign, which launches on Monday 12 January, aims to break down barriers such as fear and stigma, and encourage people to see a GP. It will particularly target areas of high health inequality across the region, where people typically don’t often engage with NHS services or lack adequate access to healthcare.

Blackpool-based Brian Nolan - brother to the Nolan Sisters - was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year having consulted his GP about the increasing frequency of his trips to the bathroom. The cancer was caught at an early, treatable stage while the tumour was still encapsulated, and he underwent surgery to remove it within two months. 

He said: “The NHS were extraordinary. Honestly, I can’t tell you how positive they were, the support they gave me at every stage throughout this whole process, and how easy they made it for me.

“I’ll be the first to say it: men can be rubbish at going to the doctor’s, but you don’t have to wait for a crisis. There is really nothing to fear. Be proactive, take control of your health, and give yourself the best chance possible."

Victoria Birchall, a pharmacist from Preston, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 after finding a lump when examining herself. She said: “Really pay attention to your body and be observant. Know what’s normal for you in the first place. Don't be afraid to check, to see if you can feel anything which is unusual for you.

“I am very grateful that I noticed it (the lump) was there and I was able to find it when I did. My GP practice took it all seriously and acted quickly. They listened.”

For find out more about the campaign, visit ActOnCancer.co.uk/checkit