Shoppers can get cancer advice at the supermarket along with their groceries in a scheme aimed at boosting early diagnosis. It comes after a survey found half of people experiencing potential signs of cancer last year did not contact their GP within six months. Tesco pharmacists have been given specialist training to tackle barriers to seeking help for the initative launched by Tesco and Cancer Research UK.
Amy Hirst, the charity's health information manager, said: “The campaign is targeting people who know something is probably not quite right but haven’t yet taken those next steps to talk to a health professional about it. “There are lots of barriers as to why someone might not seek help - from being too busy to not wanting to make a fuss, worrying about wasting a health professional’s time or finding it difficult to get an appointment. READ MORE: NHS must ‘reform or die’ warns Starmer as damning report reveals awful failures “Tesco pharmacists are able to talk to customers in a confidential but also convenient setting.
” The two-week campaign - running until September 29 - will encourage customers to take a few minutes out of their shop to raise any concerns. Pharmacists will offer advice and encourage people to visit their GP for further investigation if necessary. Ms Hirst added: “In most cases it won’t be cancer, but if it is then spotting it early makes all the difference.
“The most important take-home message is: listen to your body. If anything i.