Local resident: “I am so glad I went along”.

Hundreds of Barnet residents have visited a new pop up shop for advice on how to recognise the signs and symptoms of cancer, and to learn how to reduce the risk of developing the disease.

Since opening on 5 June, registered nurses and cancer activists at the shop in the Spires Centre have met around 750 people to spread the message that – with early detection – cancer is treatable and even beatable.

Often people put off talking to their doctor about cancer, however the earlier it is diagnosed the more chance there is of successful treatment. The shop is designed to provide an informal and friendly environment where local residents can discuss cancer fears with experts and seek reassurance where worries are unfounded.

Of the 750 people that have come into contact with the pop up shop:

• 279 people have benefitted from 1-1 consultations with a registered nurse
• 57 people have been referred to their GP for further advice and possible investigations
• 36 have been referred to other services, such as smoking cessation and walking groups.

In addition, as a result of GP referrals made from nurses at the shop, a small number of residents are now awaiting appointments with specialists to investigate their health concerns further.

Sheila Williams, Nurse at the ‘Get To Know Cancer’ pop up shop in Barnet said: “We’re really pleased that we’ve been able to meet so many people in the short time since we opened in Barnet.  Many of those we’ve met are now on the path towards getting specialist advice on their symptoms, or are more aware of how to reduce their risk of developing this disease.

”It’s particularly good to hear that we’ve reached people who said they would not have gone to their GP if it had not been for the shop.

“London as a whole has poor rates of early diagnosis for cancer.  It’s vital that campaigns like this spread the word that, by knowing signs and symptoms and acting early, cancer is often treatable – even beatable.”

A local resident, who attended the Barnet pop up, said: “When I saw the shop I walked past five times before having the courage to go in. I don’t like going to the doctors but the pop up shop was informal and staff were welcoming and friendly.

“I spoke with the nurse about a symptom I had been worrying about for a few months. I left feeling reassured and with a GP referral card so I can now go and find out if I need to worry or not. I am so glad I went along.”

London has poor rates of early diagnosis for cancer, with between 25 and 30 per cent of cancer diagnoses being made in Accident and Emergency.  It is estimated that London could save 1,000 more lives per year if early diagnosis rates equalled the best in Europe.

In Barnet, for example, screening rates for breast cancer are low, and the one year breast cancer survival rate is around 5% lower than the national average.

The pop up shop is open until 28 June and so people across Barnet are being urged to drop in for an informal chat or check while they have the opportunity. The ‘Get To Know Cancer’ pop up shop in the Spires shopping centre, High Barnet is open Wednesday- Saturdays, with no appointment needed.

Qualified nurses at the shop are on hand to help people concerned about worrying signs and symptoms and carry out free BMI and blood pressure checks. The shop can also refer visitors on to free stop smoking services and will help people access a range of other local support services.

The shop has been organised by Barnet Council and NHS England and is part of the on-going ‘Get To Know Cancer’ campaign, which wants to improve the early detection of cancers. The campaign also works in partnership with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, and has run pop up stands at home games to raise cancer awareness among supporters and local residents.