More than half of patients in deprived areas of Wales did not visit their GPs regarding possible cancer symptoms, according to Cancer Research UK. To address this issue, Cancer Research UK has launched its Spot Cancer Early awareness campaign, which urges people to visit their GP at the first sign of ill health. Kidney cancer survivor Tony Gillard from Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf has shared his story to encourage others to recognise cancer symptoms and take prompt action. Gillard was diagnosed in 2008, a week before his planned retirement, after noticing blood in his urine.
Gillard’s quick action led to an early diagnosis, enabling treatment in time. The cancer was contained within his kidney and was subsequently removed. This diagnosis was a “wake-up call,” and he has since become fitter by taking up running, engaging in healthier eating, and losing almost five stone in weight. He completed Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life last year and has signed up to take part in this year’s event in May at Cardiff’s Bute Park, alongside his son Michael, to celebrate his 80th birthday.
The Cancer Research UK study surveyed over 4,000 people across the UK, including 160 from Wales’ lowest socioeconomic areas. The most common reason given for not going to the GP was difficulty getting an appointment. Other common reasons included not wanting to talk to a receptionist about symptoms, not wanting to be seen as someone who makes a fuss and worrying about symptoms not being taken seriously.
Michelle Mitchell, the charity’s Chief Executive, said the fact that many people in Wales were not seeking medical attention was “extremely concerning”. Professor Tom Crosby, the National Clinical Director for Cancer in Wales, said that early detection was “key to improving survival for cancer patients in Wales” and urged anyone experiencing symptoms to “check it out” and not ignore them.
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More