County Durham cancer support charity sees 'scary' rise in support
The Great Aycliffe Cancer Support Group is urging people to check themselves
A County Durham cancer charity says it's 'scary' and 'frightening' how many people now need their help after diagnosis.
The Great Aycliffe Cancer Support group, based in Newton Aycliffe, say a greater number of people are coming through their doors.
Alison White BEM, founder, said: "It's pretty scary and it's frightening to see the numbers have significantly gone up. You know, I had three patients in one day and that's never been known, ever and those three people had breast cancer. Just in the space of a short time, even six people within a sort of a space of a week.
"We are seeing obviously a greater number of people coming through and it is all ages. We're doing what we can. Obviously we do try and spread awareness about, your own body and stuff. Don't sit at home with them lumps. If you do feel a lump, get to the doctors.
"Don't just leave it because sometimes people are getting put off now by the fact that you can't see anybody. It's like e-consultants and a lot of people don't do computers and stuff. So from our point of view, we're just trying to raise awareness that it is here, the cancer, don't delay."
Alison, who has had leukaemia herself, was recently included in the King's Birthday Honours with a BEM for her services to cancer.
Alison added: "I was absolutely shocked. It's very humbling obviously for all the work that I've done within the years of running the charity. It was amazing really. Something like this is big news and it's amazing.
"It just sort of gives you a bit of a lift, you know, just it actually reminds you what actually you are doing and what a bit of difference you're making to the people in the community.
"I do it because I want to do it and I don't want other people to go through some of the things that I went through in my cancer journey. And that plays a big part of what I do and what drives us today to get out of bed in the morning.
"I'm not in the best of health but I do it because I want to make a difference to somebody else who might be facing what I did."