Halt. Observe. Pay attention… can you identify the five indications of upper GI cancer?
To show support for World Cancer Day and raise awareness of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer in the City of Salford, a new campaign called Stop. Look. Listen… to Your Body has been launched. The campaign aims to educate men over 40 in Salford about the importance of being persistent if they notice ongoing symptoms and encourages them to speak to their GP practice to get checked out.
According to World Cancer Day, cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. In Salford, over 64% of people are diagnosed with upper GI cancers at a late stage, with men often presenting later than women.
The Stop. Look. Listen… to Your Body campaign seeks to change this by providing information on the top five signs and symptoms of upper GI cancer, including difficulty or discomfort swallowing, ongoing indigestion or heartburn, unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite, bringing up food after eating, and constant pain in the upper tummy, chest or back. The campaign also emphasizes the importance of being persistent if these symptoms last for more than three weeks and encourages individuals to speak to their GP practice for early cancer detection.
Working with Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, Answer Cancer, and local community groups in Salford, the campaign aims to raise awareness and encourage men to be more aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer.
Councillor John Merry, Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Adult Services, Health, and Wellbeing, expressed his support for the campaign, highlighting the importance of raising awareness and encouraging men to seek medical attention if they have any concerns. He also mentioned the various services available in Salford to reduce the risk of cancer, such as promoting physical activity, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption.
It is important to see a GP as soon as possible if something feels amiss, as early detection increases the chances of successful treatment. There are various treatments available for cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy. Additionally, it is beneficial to quit smoking and become more active to reduce the overall risk of developing cancer and improve the body’s ability to handle treatment.
For more information about the Stop. Look. Listen… to Your Body campaign in Salford, please visit the cancer awareness page on the official website.
Data sources for the campaign include World Cancer Day and CancerStats2 – Cancer Registrations Dashboard, which provides information on cancer incidence and demographics.
