NURSES in St Helens will be stationed in the Hardshaw Centre next week to support a fundraising campaign for cancer research.

Cancer Research UK nurses Helen Higham and Louise Dewhurst will visit St Helens for the Stand Up To Cancer campaign, a joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.

Stand Up To Cancer unites scientists, celebrities and communities. It’s supported by a host of stars including Davina McCall, Edith Bowman, Alan Carr, Joel Dommett and Kirsty Allsopp.

Money raised for Stand Up To Cancer helps take developments from the lab and transform them, quickly, into brand new tests and treatments for cancer patients. 

Helen and Louise, who offer free health information at fortnightly Your Cancer Awareness Hubs, will be stationed at the Hardshaw Centre on Thursday, October 25, between 10am and 4pm.

The Your Cancer Awareness Hub team will also be returning to the Hardshaw Centre on November 8 and November 22.

As well as offer information about how to spot cancer early, Helen and Louise talk to visitors about how to reduce the risk of cancer by making changes such quitting smoking or cutting down on alcohol. 

Experts estimate around four in 10 cases of cancer could be prevented in the UK, largely through making positive health changes.

Helen said: “The Hub is a chance for us to talk to people about steps they can take to help reduce their risk of cancer through changes like stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake or being more active.

“As well as providing leaflets, we can also carry out Smokerlyzer tests to show how much carbon monoxide is in someone’s breath – and body mass index (BMI) tests to show someone if they are in a healthy weight range.”.

Since it was launched in the UK in 2012, Stand Up To Cancer has raised over £38 million to support life-saving research.

This includes the development of the ‘chemo-package’ to deliver treatment at the best time for the patient; investigations into whether exercise can prevent cancer from returning and using MRI to turn radiotherapy into a more precise, personalised and powerful anti-cancer weapon.

The Stand Up To Cancer fundraising campaign will culminate with a night of live television on Friday, October 26.

Stand Up To Cancer wrist bands and merchandise are currently on sale online at standuptocancer.org