Pharmacies inside supermarkets across the UK are to begin offering advice on potential cancer symptoms for free.
After some shocking new research has sadly revealed that by 2040, there will be more than half a million new cancer cases each year in the UK, Tesco and Cancer Research are now working together for the first time ever in a bid to prompt shoppers who may be experiencing some unusual symptoms, or who are just generally concerned about cancer, to get expert information and support while in store.
Anyone who spots something that doesn’t look or feel right to them, or something that isn’t going away, can now talk to one of the supermarket’s in-store pharmacists about what to do next.
With pharmacists set to play “an increasingly bigger role” in people’s access to healthcare, according to the supermarket, this new joint campaign not only aims to raise awareness of possible symptoms of cancer, but also break down any barriers that people may face when speaking to healthcare professionals.
Tesco in-store pharmacies are to begin offering free cancer symptom advice / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Some of the barriers people face include difficulty in getting an appointment, worry about putting strain on the NHS, and not wanting to make a fuss.
Tesco pharmacists have undergone specialist training with Cancer Research UK especially for the new campaign in order to “support conversations with the public about possible cancer symptoms” and to stress the importance of early diagnosis.
The supermarket hopes that by offering a convenient setting to check-in about health concerns, this will help people to feel more comfortable and confident discussing possible signs and symptoms with their doctor.
Speaking as the campaign launched this week, Paul Pilkington, who is the Head of Pharmacy at Tesco, said: “Often, many of us will put off seeking advice on something that’s worrying us because we’re too busy, can’t get a GP appointment at a convenient time, or simply don’t want to be seen as someone who makes a fuss.
“Being able to have a conversation with one of our pharmacists about a worrying symptom could help lead to a much quicker cancer diagnosis and the likelihood of a successful outcome.”
Michelle Mitchell, who is Cancer Research UK’s Chief Executive, added: “By 2040, there will be over half a million new cancer cases each year in the UK, but the earlier people are diagnosed, the better their chance of survival, so that’s why it’s so important that we’re joining forces with Tesco to make it easier for people to get help if they notice something that is unusual for them.”
Ms Mitchell says the organisation is “excited by the opportunity” to work with Tesco to speed up diagnosis and save lives.
Didsbury, Cheetham Hill, Gorton, Droylsden, Middleton, Stretford, Salford, and Preswitch are just a handful of the Greater Manchester Tesco locations with participating pharmacies.
Featured Image – Tesco PLC
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More than 100 ‘unsafe’ counterfeit Labubus seized in Oldham
Daisy Jackson
More than 100 counterfeit Labubus and accessories have been seized in Oldham, the council has announced.
The Labubu dolls – a plush collectible with giant smiles and bunny ears – have been seized because they are fake, and unsafe.
The haul of 104 Labubus has been given a street value of between £800 and £1000 – but if they were the real deal, they’d be worth more than three times as much.
The poorly-made figures were being sold for a fraction of the price of a real Labubu, which are manufactured by Chinese company Pop Mart (it’s set to open its second Manchester store in the Trafford Centre next week).
Oldham Council’s Trading Standards team said it seized the counterfeit Labubus from local businesses and found that they were unsafe and poorly made.
Officers raised concerns about the safety of the dolls, which had small parts such as eyes, hands and feet broke off easily, creating a choking hazard.
What a genuine Labubu should look like. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
They were also missing legally required safety marks such as the CE or UKCA labels, and lacked the name and address of a UK supplier, which is another legal requirement.
Councillor Elaine Taylor, Oldham Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Licensing, said: “Oldham Trading Standards carries out regular checks to help keep unsafe products off the shelves. In this case, these counterfeit toys failed safety standards and have now been removed from sale.
“We know it can be tempting to buy toys that look like a bargain, but parents need to be extra careful. Fake toys like these may be cheaper, but they can put children in real danger if they’re not made to strict safety standards.
“If anyone has concerns about toys they’ve purchased, or if they see unsafe products on sale locally, we’d encourage them to get in touch with Trading Standards through the Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.”
Council publishes list of central Manchester roads set to be resurfaced this summer
Emily Sergeant
A list of roads in Manchester that are set to be resurfaced before the summer is out has been published.
Manchester City Council recently asked residents in the region what their priorities were for their community and what issues they wanted to see tackled – and for many, the answer was the quality of the road surfaces.
Since then, the Council says it has been ‘engaged’ in a long-running programme of improvement works throughout the borough.
Now, with just over a month of the summer season left, it has been confirmed that some vital resurfacing works are due to start over the coming weeks in north and central Manchester, bringing a range of improvements to key district roads along with it.
First up, from Saturday 9 August, Hollinwood Avenue is to be resurfaced.
The Council has published a list of Manchester roads that are set to be resurfaced this summer / Credit: MJ Richardson (via Geograph)
Anticipated to take six weeks to complete, this work will be carried out during weekend closures from 8am-5pm, with the road remaining open during the working week.
The closure area will be between Greengates Roundabout and the Oldham boundary at Owler Lane, and a signed diversion route will be in place while work is carried out, and access for residents will be maintained at all times.
Then, starting from Saturday 16 August, resurfacing works will begin on Moss Lane East, between Alexandra Road and Princess Road.
Work will take place between 7am and 5pm on weekdays, and 8am and 5pm on weekends, and during the works, the road will be completely closed – with a signed diversion route in place and access for residents maintained.
As always, disruption is expected and the public is encouraged to plan ahead / Credit: Mylo Kaye (via Unsplash)
These works are expected to take six weeks to complete, and as with all resurfacing projects, residents should expect some disruption and may need to plan ahead.
The Council is aiming to keep disruption to the public at a minimum, where possible.
“We know how important it is to our residents that key roads are well maintained, which is why were glad to be able to deliver this latest round of improvement works,” commented Councillor Tracey Rawlins, who is the Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment, and Transport at Manchester City Council.
“I’d like to thank people ahead of time for their patience during the course of these works and would advise them to check when closures will be in place and where the diversions are.”
You can find more information on the resurfacing works on the Council website here.
Emily Sergeant -
25th September 2024 
