Tesco shoppers urged to speak to supermarket pharmacists about cancer

Shoppers can get cancer advice at the supermarket along with their groceries in a scheme aimed at boosting early diagnosis. It comes after a survey found half of people experiencing potential signs of cancer last year did not contact their GP within six months. Tesco pharmacists have been given specialist training to tackle barriers to seeking help for the initative launched by Tesco and Cancer Research UK.

Amy Hirst, the charity's health information manager, said: “The campaign is targeting people who know something is probably not quite right but haven’t yet taken those next steps to talk to a health professional about it. “There are lots of barriers as to why someone might not seek help - from being too busy to not wanting to make a fuss, worrying about wasting a health professional’s time or finding it difficult to get an appointment. READ MORE: NHS must ‘reform or die’ warns Starmer as damning report reveals awful failures “Tesco pharmacists are able to talk to customers in a confidential but also convenient setting.



” The two-week campaign - running until September 29 - will encourage customers to take a few minutes out of their shop to raise any concerns. Pharmacists will offer advice and encourage people to visit their GP for further investigation if necessary. Ms Hirst added: “In most cases it won’t be cancer, but if it is then spotting it early makes all the difference.

“The most important take-home message is: listen to your body. If anything is unusual for you or not going away, it’s really important to speak to your doctor.” Early diagnosis can dramatically boost survival chances.

Around nine in 10 people with bowel cancer survive for at least five years if their disease is caught at the earliest stage, but this falls to one in 10 for those diagnosed at the most advanced stage. Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, said: “By 2040 there will be over half a million new cancer cases each year in the UK. “It’s so important that we’re joining forces with Tesco to make it easier for people to get help if they notice something that is unusual for them.

” Paul Pilkington, head of pharmacy at Tesco, said: “Often, many of us will put off seeking advice on something that’s worrying us because we’re too busy, can’t get a GP appointment at a convenient time or simply don’t want to be seen as someone who makes a fuss. “Being able to have a conversation with one of our pharmacists about a worrying symptom could help lead to a much quicker cancer diagnosis and the likelihood of a successful outcome.” Appointments can also be booked online here .

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