|
Be Clear on
Cancer campaign in Liverpool to raise awareness that ongoing
heartburn can be a sign of cancer
A 'Be Clear on Cancer'
campaign has been launches in Liverpool urging people to visit
their doctor if they have heartburn most days for 3 weeks or more,
as this can be a sign of oesophageal or stomach cancer.
The latest data reveals around 138 people in
Liverpool are diagnosed with oesophago gastric cancers each year. Dr
Sandra Davies, Director of Public Health, Liverpool City Council said:-
"Early diagnosis and treatment of cancer can save lives. Heartburn most days for
three weeks or more could be a sign of cancer as could food feeling like it's
sticking in your throat when you swallow. I would urge anyone experiencing these
symptoms to seek medical help. The chances are it's nothing serious but finding
it early makes it more treatable and early diagnosis and treatment of cancer can
save lives."
The campaign launch coincides with results of a new survey commissioned by
Public Health England, which reveals that nationally, only 1 in 2 people (55%)
would visit their doctor if they experience the above symptom.
The most recent data has revealed that in Liverpool around 138 people are
diagnosed with oesophageal or stomach cancer each year 0 and approximately 108
people die from these diseases annually.
Early diagnosis of oesophageal or stomach cancer (also known as oesophago
gastric cancers) is crucial and means treatment is more likely to be successful.
Nationally, around 67% of people diagnosed with oesophago gastric cancers at the
earliest stage survive for at least 5 years. This figure drops to around 3% for
those diagnosed at a late stage.
According to the survey, 59% of respondents did not know that heartburn could be
a sign of cancer with just 15% saying they were certain that it is a symptom.
Another symptom highlighted by the campaign is that of difficulty swallowing
food. Here the survey found that 70% did not know food sticking in the throat
could be a sign of cancer and just 13% of those surveyed said they were sure it
is a symptom.
Professor Kevin Fenton, National Director of Health and Wellbeing at Public
Health England, explains the importance of this awareness activity:-
"People may be reluctant to visit their doctor about persistent heartburn,
thinking that it's something they just have to live with. But heartburn most
days for three weeks or more could be a sign of cancer. The earlier cancer is
diagnosed, the higher the chance of survival. If we're to improve early
diagnosis rates, we need to encourage people with symptoms to go to their
doctor, which is what this latest Be Clear on Cancer campaign aims to do."
It has been estimated that around 950 lives could be saved in England each year
if our survival rates for oesophago-gastric cancers matched the best in Europe.
Of those diagnosed with oesophago-gastric cancers, more than 9 out of 10 people
are over the age of 50 making this the target age group for the campaign.
The 4 week campaign will see adverts running nationally throughout England on
TV, radio and in the press.
A roadshow is also being held at Belle Vale Shopping Centre on 18 February 2015
and 19 February 2015.
For further information about the signs and symptoms of oesophageal and stomach
cancers, please visit:-
NHS.UK/ogcancer.
James Rice Book
Signing
ON Friday, 24 January 2015,
Formby books played host to a book signing by local debut novelist
James Rice. He was signing copies of his new book called:-
"Alice and the Fly", that is all about phobias and
obsessions, isolation and dark corners. This is a gripping hard back
book, that for disaster story fans, well this is a good dark book
for you!
He is currently working on his 2nd novel and
to find out more about:- "Alice and the Fly" and his next book,
why not follow him on
Twitter? These photos where snapped for us
by Tony Higginson, owner of Formby Books.
|
 |
Car Park
Problems in both Southport and Formby
AGAIN we are hearing of
problems about parking in Formby Village and in Southport. We have
picked the most talked about issues as it would take a full edition
just on parking to cover them all. These are the most common
comments as of late:-
1 driver who was frustrated after finding himself blocked in by a
parked car with a blue badge, after turning into a one way side
road, in Southport, told us:- "Blue badge users should
consider others more and not park on junctions. I can't go back as
we have others behind me and I can't get past." Do you find
this a growing or ongoing problem?
Pay and Display meters are still
not taking new coins in Southport! "When will new machines
come and the planned txt to park system is anyone's guess?"
one reader has emailed us. Should we replace the parking meters or
ask for them to be scrapped?
The most complaints though lately
have been again from Formby in regards to the car park at the back
of Sumner Road, behind Iceland, in the Village Centre. "It is
so dangerous, as cars just fly around without looking or spotting
that it's a one way system!" was one of them. Another
"People just do not go the correct way around. I know Sefton has
been talking about it, but why can't we have a few spot checks on
it?" Also comments like:- "I have nearly hit people
when reversing. Worse still, I have seen people nearly knocked down
thanks to some moppet driving the wrong way." That's not
forgetting this comment by businesses in Formby:- "Part of the
problem with Sumner Road is the lack of good free car parking within
the Village Centre. That is killing the Village trade and closing
businesses, plus making the roads in and around the village centre
very dangerous at times! If you have to stay longer than 2 hours,
you have to park on the side roads. That is also causing traffic
congestion and added dangers in itself!"
So what are your views on parking? Let us know your views by
emailing us to:-
news24@southportreporter.com or
post on our Facebook
Page.
Tony Schumacher
visits Formby Books
Photo by Tony Higginson,
owner of Formby Books.
ON Saturday, 17 January
2015 the Liverpool based crime/thriller author Tony Schumacher paid
a visit to Formby Books. He has just hit the charts in both the US
and UK and looks likely to have a film deal soon, so interest to see
him was high! At the visit he met fans and also signed copies of his
latest book:- 'The Darkest Hour'. This book is a
gripping and fast paced thriller similar to John Le Carre, Philip
Kerr and Frederick Forsyth set immediately after the end of WW2, he
has like others decided that the Germans won and his hero is a
Gestapo investigator, but as Tony is an ex policeman he has worked
exceptionally hard to make sure he delivers a fast paced thriller
that will stay in your memory for ages... To find out more about
this book, why not pick up a copy from Formby Books and also follow
on
Twitter. |
