South West London Cancer Network is starting a community-led initiative to increase awareness of cancer – its risk factors, symptoms, care and treatment.

Late diagnosis of cancer is considered to be a major factor in poor survival rates from the disease in the UK. Often this is because people do not know what symptoms to look out for, but if they visit a health professional early their chances of survival can increase dramatically. Croydon, and particularly New Addington and Fieldway, has been identified as an area which has particularly low awareness of cancer symptoms, and so we would like your help to change this.

Based on successes elsewhere in the country, the network wishes to recruit volunteers to become Community Champions. Community Champions will work with their community to educate them about cancer - its symptoms, risk factors, care and treatment. The volunteers do not need experience of cancer, just an interest in helping their local area and a good knowledge of their community.

Initially the focus will be on lung cancer, however we will be looking at other cancers after this initial work, so do get involved if you have an interest in a different cancer.

Community Champions will receive a day’s training (with thank you buffet lunch) on Thursday July 14th from 9.30am until 3.30pm, at the Hilton Croydon Hotel, 101 Waddon Way, Croydon CR9 4HH. The training will include a session by a health professional about the issues surrounding lung cancer, plus practical advice on how to develop a community initiative or event. The volunteers will then receive continued support to develop events to educate the community about cancer symptoms (plus all travel / resource expenses etc), but this is a community-led initiative, so how the volunteers approach the community is up to them!

If travel to and from the venue could be a problem for any volunteers, please do get in touch and we can arrange transportation for you.

If you’re interested in getting involved or would like further information, please contact Leila Woodhouse: leilawoodhouse@hotmail.com / 07731 047755.

Based on information supplied by Leila Woodhouse.