Pharmacies in Northern Ireland help raise cancer awareness

Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland are distributing a free information booklet to help raise public awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and promote early diagnosis.

The initiative is part of the ‘Be Cancer Aware’ campaign, which has been running in pharmacies since April and will continue through May as part of the Living Well service.

The campaign highlights the important role of pharmacy teams in offering advice and support, and encourages anyone experiencing possible cancer symptoms to talk to their GP.

It also aims to promote healthy lifestyle changes that can help reduce the risk of developing cancer in the future.

“Cancer is a common condition - around half of us will develop some form of cancer in our lifetime,” said Dr Anna Cullen, Public Health Registrar at the Public Health Agency (PHA).

The most common cancers in Northern Ireland include breast cancer, lung cancer, bowel cancer, prostate cancer, and skin cancer.

Dr Cullen emphasised that being aware of the general signs and symptoms can help in early detection and increase the chance of survival.

She encouraged people to watch for the following signs and symptoms:

• Coughing up blood
• Blood in urine
• Blood mixed through bowel motions (stools)
• A change in bowel habits lasting three weeks or more
• Unexplained, significant weight loss (5kg/10lbs over a couple of months)
• A lump anywhere on the body
• Changes to the skin or an existing mole (such as itching, bleeding, or changes in shape or colour)
• A sore that doesn’t heal
• Persistent symptoms, such as a cough or hoarseness lasting more than three weeks

“If you notice any of these symptoms and you feel something isn’t right, do not hesitate to contact your GP, ” said Dr Cullen.

“In many cases, these symptoms will turn out to be a sign of something far less serious, but it is always best to get them checked out.

“If it is cancer, an early diagnosis means treatment is more likely to be successful.”

People can also ask their pharmacist for advice and further support. “They can help you identify ways to reduce your risk of developing cancer,” Dr Cullen added.

Clare Conroy, community pharmacist at Meigh Pharmacy in Co Down, agreed: “The earlier you find cancer, the easier it is to treat.”

“Community pharmacy is the ideal setting to help encourage people to look after their health, and pharmacy teams play a critical role in supporting early cancer diagnosis.

“As well as advising on how to spot cancer early, pharmacy teams can help support people to make healthy changes that could reduce the risk of cancer.”

“The first step is simple, just ask your pharmacist for advice.”

A copy of the free information booklet, ‘Be Cancer Aware – Spotting symptoms and reducing your risk’, can be found here.