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.
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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
News
Seven men arrested in Greater Manchester as part of investigation into child sexual exploitation in early 2000s
Emily Sergeant
Seven men have been arrested at addresses across Greater Manchester and Cheshire as part of a complex child sexual exploitation investigation.
As part of Greater Manchester Police (GMP)’s pursuit of suspected non-recent child sex offenders in our region, particularly in relation to the exploitation of teenage children in Manchester city centre in the early 2000s, officers executed warrants at nine addresses in Manchester, Stockport, and Wilmslow this week, and proceeded to arrest seven people.
The seven suspects are aged between 41 and 54, and they have been arrested on suspicion of various offences – including rape, and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity relating to a girl aged under 16.
The arrests form part of GMP’s dedicated investigation, ‘Operation Green Jacket’, which is led by its Child Sexual Exploitation Major Incident Team, in partnership with Manchester City Council, and so far, a total of 64 suspects have been detained and interviewed since the investigation was launched back in early May 2019.
Earlier this month, the first suspect charged as part of this investigation appeared in court accused of six offences against two teenage girls between May 2004 and February 2005, and GMP says its specialist detectives continue to “relentlessly pursue all available lines of enquiry” to bring long-awaited justice for survivors.
“We will not allow the passage of time to become a barrier in the pursuit of justice,” GMP insisted.
DI Humphreys: “Despite the passage of time, this investigation will not go away until offenders are held responsible for their appalling actions.
“We are clear when we say that in Greater Manchester, time is no barrier to justice.”https://t.co/gi5x7GTC3C
Speaking following the arrests this week, Detective Inspector Eleanor Humphreys, who is the Deputy Senior Investigating Officer for Operation Green Jacket, commented: “This action is just the latest part of our wide-ranging investigation into the shocking abuse that young children were being subjected to in south Manchester in the early 2000s.
“Despite the passage of time, this investigation will not go away until offenders are held responsible for their appalling actions.
“We are clear when we say that in Greater Manchester, time is no barrier to justice.
“We are doing everything in our power to support survivors and work at a pace they are comfortable with, to listen to them and to ensure that suspects are identified, traced, and brought into custody.”
Featured Image – GMP
News
Former GMP detective stole cocaine from police storage to sell on Greater Manchester’s streets
Emily Sergeant
A former detective has been found guilty of stealing cocaine from police storage to sell on Greater Manchester’s streets.
Andrew Talbot has been convicted following an investigation led by Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Anti-Corruption Unit – which commenced back in February 2020 after he was captured on CCTV dropping a small bag of cocaine outside his daughter’s primary school.
GMP’s enquiries uncovered that the 54-year-old stole almost four kilograms of cocaine while he was working in the force’s Serious Crime Division at Nexus House.
Shortly after being notified of the CCTV footage, police then went on to search Talbot, his car, and his home, where they found more cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and evidence to indicate that he had been abusing his privileged access to the force’s property storage for criminal purposes.
GMP says it could “confidently piece together” that Talbot’s offending spanned over two years, after examining his mobile phone, and his use of computer system and operational exhibits.
#SENTENCED | A former detective has been convicted of stealing cocaine from police storage to use for street supply.
Our anti-corruption unit helped bring Andrew Talbot (54) to justice for the full extent of his crimes.
In November 2023, Talbot pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of cocaine, possession of ammunition without a firearm certificate, theft of cocaine, conspiracy, two counts of misconduct in public office, and a further charge of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, and following these admissions, he was sacked by GMP at an accelerated misconduct hearing earlier this year.
Following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday (25 September 2024), Talbot was found guilty of supplying a controlled drug of Class A, misconduct in public office, and failing to comply with a notice under section 49 of the Regulation and Investigatory Powers Act 2000, GMP has confirmed.
“This was a lengthy and detailed investigation demonstrating the diligence of the officers in our Anti-Corruption Unit, and this case sends a strong message about the expectations we have for serving police officers,” commented Detective Chief Inspector Jennifer Adams, of GMP’s Anti-Corruption Unit, after Talbot was found guilty this week.
“We know the vast majority of officers are dedicated and compassionate professionals, but we have no tolerance for anyone like Talbot who is not fit to serve the people of Greater Manchester.”