Plymouth Cancer Champions
What is a Plymouth Cancer Champion?
Cancer Champions aren't cancer experts. They may know a bit about cancer, and help to raise awareness of cancer symptoms within their communities. They encourage people to go for help or screening as soon as possible.
This could be with people they know well: friends, family, neighbours, people they work with. Or alternatively, it could be with people they meet in their everyday life.
Cancer Champions help by:
- Having conversations with people about cancer in their everyday life. Talking means cancer becomes a word we’re all more comfortable with.
- Sharing information with other people - this might be leaflets or online information.
- Sharing a personal experience may benefit someone going through something similar or may encourage someone to go for help.
- Sharing social media posts with friends, family and community.
- Offering a little support to access help. This might be encouraging someone to contact their doctor or helping someone access an advice or support organisation or group.
Things Cancer Champions don’t do…
Diagnose.
Give advice about treatment.
Get paid.
Things Cancer Champions do...
Cancer Champions write their own job description and do as much or as little as they are comfortable with.
Cancer Champions get support and training from the Plymouth Cancer Champions Project team.
By working together we can increase cancer survival rates. Across Plymouth some people are less likely to spot cancer, go for help and attend screening appointments. Cancer Champions can help to change this. Whatever you do as a Cancer Champion, you will make a positive difference.
The earlier cancer is diagnosed the better the chances of survival. Encouraging and supporting people to be aware of signs and symptoms and to seek help from their doctor are two ways Cancer Champions can make a real difference.
Facing cancer alone is a big challenge. Plymouth Cancer Champions can help make sure no-one is alone on their cancer journey by helping people access information, signpost to practical and emotional support and sometimes just be there for a friendly chat.
For further information, please email Kirsty at kirsty@zebra.coop