Cancer Awareness Course

Aims

• To be able to recognise the signs and symptoms of cancer

• To be aware of the importance of screening

• To educate the participants on the different supporting services available

Objectives

• The set objectives were that by the end of the five weeks, participants would:

• Be encouraged to attend the free health screenings that are provided

• Be more educated regarding the signs and symptoms of cancer and be aware of small changes they can make to help prevent cancer

• Make an appointment and visit the doctors when unsure of something/ in doubt or begin to notice unusual changes to their body

• Write EVERYTHING down. It’s more helpful and efficient to go to the doctors with a list. A better outcome will come out of this. It will be an easier diagnosis, less time consuming and will be beneficial to the individual and their health

This unique 5-week course on Cancer Awareness starts on November 15th 2013 & will cover all aspects of cancer the signs, symptoms, dispelling myths & lots more. It’s delivered in an appropriately humorous way with no medical jargon & full of useful information.

Week 1
The basics about cancer

• An introduction to Cancer Campaign in Suffolk, the Afro Caribbean group and Livewell

• What is cancer?

• What causes cancer?

• Who is more likely to develop cancer?

• How much of cancer is genetic?

• Can cancer be prevented?

• Dispelling the myths

Week 2
Provided basic knowledge, signs and symptoms and treatment of some of the more common cancers that relate to both male and females

• What screening is available?

• The treatment process

• Breast cancer

• Bowel cancer

• Mouth/oesophageal cancers

• Lung cancer

• Ovarian cancer

• Cervical cancer

Week 3
Provided basic knowledge, signs and symptoms and treatment of cancers that relate specifically to males or females.

• Prostate cancer

• Testicular cancer

• The 3 week symptom diary

• Medication

• Diet

• Talking to your GP about health issues

• What to do if symptoms persist and no one is listening to you

week 4

• Skin cancer

• Blood Cancers

• Lymphomas

• Sickle cell disease (at the request of participants)

Week 5
Support services available. Keeping healthy and review

• The Cancer Information Centre at the Ipswich Hospital

• Support Groups

• Psychological support

• Complementary therapies

• Financial support

• Available courses

• Support for family, carers and friends

• A healthy living plan

• Review of the course

Statements made by candidates over the five weeks, when reviewing each week

• Men bury their heads in the sand, so really important to ensure men understand the importance of knowing what to look out for and when to seek help.

• Two people said they would defiantly check things out now if they had niggling symptoms

• Now understand that it is important to know what is normal for each person, and that may vary from person to person.

• Knowing that breast cancer could happen to them

• Clearer about what ages are more at risk of getting certain cancers

• Now aware of the nine signs of breast cancer, very surprised it was more than just lumps

• Now know that if you are over seventy, you can self refer for mammograms.

• Now understand the importance of screening, now won’t overlook the bowel screening

• Will check her breasts monthly now as she understands the importance of early detection

• Will not now be ashamed of my own body.

• Now understands how to protect skin, didn’t think a dark skin was a problem

• Will invest in sun tan lotion and use it regularly

• Will go back to her Drs re a mole that is changing.

• Didn’t know before there were different types of skin cancers

• Really now understand the importance of protecting themselves from the direct sun

• Found the simple explanation of blood cancers really helpful

• Appreciated the additional information about sickle cell anaemia

• Will now be more aware of the dangers of the UV rays from the sun

• Learnt more about protecting children from the sun whilst at School

• Learnt a lot more about leukaemia, feel they could recognise the signs better now

• Now understand better how our cells work and how they can be damaged by our lifestyle

• Have “enjoyed” learning about all the different cancers

• The information on testicular cancer was really useful

• Understanding what is different regarding healthy and what shouldn’t be ignored

• Found the three week symptom diary information really helpful

• Useful to hear more about prostate cancer and how to be more proactive

• Didn’t realise that alcohol was a poison and could do so much damage

• Didn’t realise drinking alcohol could increase your risk of some cancers

• Didn’t realise how much eating a healthy diet could reduce the risk of cancer

• Surprised by the range of cancers and how they are all individual