October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and local NHS organisations have joined up with the newly launched Fit Rovers Ladies club to raise awareness and educate members around cancer.
According to Breast Cancer Now and Cancer Research UK, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK accounting for 15% of all new cancer cases.
1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime with one woman is diagnosed every 10 minutes - whilst 350 men are also diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
NHS Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group Clinical Chair, Senior Responsible Officer for earlier diagnosis at the Cancer Alliance and local GP David Crichton said: “Breast cancer, along with a number of other cancers can be spotted early if people know what to look out for and can recognise this might be an early sign of cancer.
“Having the chance to talk to groups of people committed to improving their own health and wellbeing such as Fit Rovers Ladies is a fantastic opportunity.
“There’s no doubt that the work the Be Cancer Safe team do to raise awareness goes far beyond the women in this group as they become ambassadors and pass their learning on to their own family and friends.”
Fit Rovers Ladies is Club Doncaster Foundation’s new adult fitness course based at the Keepmoat Stadium, aimed at women over the age of 23, free of charge.
After the success of the award-winning health and wellbeing programme for men, Club Doncaster Foundation announced the introduction of a female version earlier this year.
John Davis, Chief Operating Officer at Club Doncaster Foundation commented: “With the growing popularity of our health provision, raising awareness of wider campaigns is critical in not only educating people but also saving lives. We are delighted to be working with the Be Cancer Safe team to ensure that we get this message across to as many people as possible.”
Across Doncaster lots of work is taking place to help reduce cancer rates and increase support with the new Lung Health Check programme launching early 2020, as well as the newly opened Macmillan Pod at Doncaster Hospital.
Joanne O’Marr, Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service Lead, who works in the Be Cancer Safe Team said: “On average, we speak to over 300 people each month at the Macmillan Pod, supporting on a wide range of issues from managing symptoms and the side effects of cancer treatment.
“We pride ourselves on providing a friendly, private environment for patients, carers and family members affected by cancer, to access appropriate information and support.
“To be part of the Be Cancer Safe team and to raise awareness of all types of cancer and how to spot the signs is incredibly important and can save lives.”
Be Cancer Safe in Doncaster is run by Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH).