Warwickshire cancer survivor encourages people to visit screening bus tour
The NHS Cancer Bus Tour is embarking on it's final leg across Coventry and Warwickshire
After successful tours in Coventry and Warwickshire earlier this year, the NHS Cancer Bus Tour will be embarking on the final part of its journey delivering life-saving information this September.
David Assheton, who lives in Rugby, was diagnosed with the early stages of lung cancer after attending screening.
Mr Assheton emphasises how important initiatives, like the Cancer Bus Tour, are in raising awareness of catching cancer early and increasing the chances of successful treatments: “I’d urge anyone to visit the Cancer Bus when it is in their local area.
"You think it won’t happen to you but it’s good to stay aware of the symptoms of cancer and screening programmes that can find cancers early.
“I had no symptoms, and I was as fit as a fiddle, playing international Masters hockey, tennis and being generally active, so it came as a big surprise when I received my lung cancer diagnosis.
“My advice would be to always go for checks when invited. It takes me back to my working life in the motor industry – you keep up with preventative maintenance and services for your car, so why wouldn’t you do the same with your body?”
Residents in Rugby, Nuneaton and Warwick will be able to access vital cancer screening information and talk with a range of healthcare experts including GPs, Targeted Lung Health Check and Bowel Screening teams, professionals from mental health services, dieticians and more on their doorstep.
Mandeep Kaur, Lung Cancer Screening Nurse, at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, said: “More and more patients are now coming to us displaying no visible cancer symptoms, however once they have had a CT scan, they are requiring further investigations due to suspected cancer or after we have detected other issues causing concerns.
“The earlier we find cancer, the more efficiently and effectively we can treat it, so we’re encouraging everyone to get all of the checks you’re eligible for when invited.”