News

More men urged to get checked as Spurs legend Ledley King launches new cancer pop up shop

Former England and Tottenham Hotspur FC star Ledley King joined NHS England (London) and Wandsworth council in an urgent call for more men to get health checks at the official launch of a new Get to know cancer pop-up shop in south London today.

The Wandsworth pop-up shop is the latest activity for the Get to know cancer campaign, which has been supported by Tottenham Hotspur FC since 2013 and has included pop-ups, market stalls and drop-in clinics across London aimed at promoting early diagnosis of cancer. The shop at Southside shopping centre, which is running seven days a week until 12th February, is staffed by specialist cancer nurses offering advice, free BMI and blood tests and for smokers, carbon monoxide tests.

With figures showing that men are 37 per cent more likely to die of cancer than women in the UK, NHS England (London) accompanied the launch with an urgent call for more men to drop into the shop to learn more and get any early symptoms checked.

In London, between 2011-2013 10,838 men under the age of 75 died from cancer, with 57 per cent of these deaths considered preventable.

It’s the second time that a pop-up shop dedicated to preventing cancer has been located in Wandsworth, with the last shop welcoming just under two thousand people of all ages in four weeks, making it by far the most successful Get to know cancer pop-up shop in London.

Dr Jane Fryer, NHS England (London) Acting Regional Medical Director, said: “We estimate that approximately 1,000 people are dying unnecessarily in London each year because their cancers are not spotted early enough. Men are traditionally more reluctant to get health checks than women, but it’s vital they wait less time before seeking medical advice about changes to their health. Cancer is no longer the death sentence it once was – it can be treatable and beatable.

“We want to see everyone with cancer diagnosed as quickly and accurately as possible, and the latest Get to know cancer pop-up stall makes it easy for shoppers to drop in and get quick and free information and health checks.”

Tottenham Hotspur Club Ambassador Ledley King said: “The Club has been supporting Get to Know Cancer in raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and promoting the importance of early diagnosis to Londoners. The campaign has been well received by our fans and local residents, encouraging them to go to their GP as soon as they notice something unusual with their health.

“I’m sure that this new pop-up shop will be just as successful in educating even more Londoners about the different signs of cancer to look out for. Remember, cancer can be ‘treatable, even beatable’ if diagnosed early.”

Local cancer survivors also attended the launch in support of the pop up shop. One of them, 35-year-old Moses Kit from Wandsworth, said:

“At first I thought I had a chest infection, which I ignored for the best part of a year. When I started to cough up blood and lose weight, I put it down to stress.

“By the time my cancer had been confirmed it had spread. I started treatment immediately.

“My advice would be to listen to your body and go to the doctor. Cancer is not always somebody else’s problem.”

Director of Public Health, Wandsworth Council, Houda Al Sharifi said: “Last year’s shop was a huge success, but we’re keen to get the message out to more men this year. We want them to take Moses’ advice and get any symptoms checked out early.

“Cancer can affect people of all ages – including the young and previously fit – and we hope Ledley helps spread the message that it’s important for everyone to learn to spot the signs and get themselves checked out.”

The Get to know cancer pop-up shop is in Southside Shopping Centre opposite TK Maxx from now until Thursday 12 February from 9am-7pm Monday to Friday, 9-6pm on Saturdays and 11am-5pm on Sunday.

For more information about the Get to know cancer campaign visit www.gettoknowcancer.org or follow @gettoknowcancer