Published on: 3 February 2023
A national tour launched by the NHS to encourage patients to come forward to help detect cancer sooner is set to visit Sunderland.
Brian Henderson, dad of International and Premier League footballer Jordan, will help share the message as he draws on his own experience of being diagnosed and treated for the disease.
The NHS England Help Us, Help you campaign aims to catch the disease earlier, when it is easier to treat.
It is encouraging people to come forward as soon as they have noticed something in their body which does not feel right and are worried it could be cancer to contact their GP.
It is also working to reassure people getting tested will put their mind at rest.
The campaign bus starts its tour on World Cancer Day, Saturday, February 4, with its visit to Sunderland on Tuesday, February 7.
It will stop outside Keel Square in the city centre from 10am to 2pm.
The bus will then make a stop at Sunderland Bangladesh International Centre, where it will welcome visitors until 4pm.
The NHS England Help Us, Help you campaign bus.
Melanie Robertson, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust’s Assistant Director of Nursing and Lead Cancer Clinician, will be among the specialist nurses on board to answer any questions.
She said:
“We’re really pleased the bus is making Sunderland one of its stops on this tour.
“I’ll be joining it for the day and will be able to speak to anyone who calls by to talk about any concerns they have about themselves or their loved ones when it comes to cancer.
“They can ask any question they want, nothing is too small, and there will be somewhere for a private chat if they wish.
“We’ll also have lots of information for them to take away and read at a time right for them too.
“We don’t want people to carry the worry of cancer with them, if something doesn’t feel right, they should contact their GP.
“They might be sent for tests to rule out cancer and whatever the result, the NHS is here to help.
“That test can also help put your mind, but until you find out, you can’t rule it out.”
Brian, whose son Jordan captains England and Liverpool FC, will support the visit and join the nurses to speak to people about his own experiences.
The businessman was treated by Sunderland Royal Hospital in 2014 after the disease was found in his tongue, throat and lymph glands.
Brian launched a fundraising campaign to buy a high-end endoscopy for the hospital, with the kit to be officially unveiled soon.
He said:
“I want to encourage anything which gets that message across about being aware of cancer.
“The reason I want to get involved with this event is because it will do just that and I want anyone who is worried about a lump or feeling generally unwell to take that step to get checked out.
“It is so important they seek advice and help at that early stage so if it is cancer, the disease can be caught while it’s easier to treat.”
The NHS website has a cancer section featuring information about how to reduce the risk of developing the illness, how to spot the signs and details about treatments.
It can be found via https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer/
