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Area chosen to lead fight against cancer

30/ 3/2007

HARPURHEY is one of three wards from across Greater Manchester selected to pilot an awareness campaign to encourage people to visit their GP early with possible cancer symptoms.

The "Don't be a Cancer Chancer" campaign aims to save the lives of 500 cancer victims every year across the region.

Greater Manchester has one of the highest cancer death rates in the country, but early diagnosis gives a much better chance of survival.

The campaign will appear in powerful, imaginative and unexpected designs and places in pubs, shops, hairdressers, bingo halls, bookies and bus stops.

Common symptoms - such as lumps, bleeding and persistent coughs - will be promoted with a simple and strong message of "catching it early could save your life".

It is being piloted in Harpurhey, as well as Hollinwood in Oldham and Atherton in Wigan. The pilots will run for a month, after which they will be evaluated and could pave the way for a larger campaign across the area, which is already drawing national attention.

Sir Alex Ferguson, Steve McClaren, Sir Bobby Charlton, Sam Allardyce and major sports clubs, together with actors Christopher Eccleston, the cast of Coronation Street and many other celebrities have got behind Manchester Versus Cancer - a unique alliance aimed at improving the early diagnosis of the disease.

And Shameless actor David Threlfall, who grew up in Blackley, said: "It is painful to know that over 500 people a year in Greater Manchester could be saved if they just went to their doctor early. Don't wait a day. I wish Manchester Versus Cancer every bit of success in saving these lives."