Pop star in cancer plea to Oldhamers

IRISH pop star Ronan Keating has thrown his weight behind a hard-hitting cancer campaign that arrives in Oldham on Tuesday.

The Boyzone singer, who lost his mum Marie to breast cancer 11 years ago, is urging Oldhamers to visit the Cancer Research UK mobile health information unit in Market Place.

Three units are touring England, thanks to the unique partnership between Cancer Research UK and the Marie Keating Foundation, which was set up by Ronan and his family following the untimely death of Marie Keating, aged 51.

Ronan said: “My family and I were absolutely devastated when my mum died of cancer in 1998 and wanted to help other people understand and be aware of the disease.

“Since we began working in partnership with Cancer Research UK in 2006, the roadshow has proved a huge success with over 81,000 people visiting the units. This year we hope many more people will step on board the roadshow to find out what they can do to help lower their risk of cancer.”

The unit visiting Oldham, has been funded by Deloitte, the business advisery firm, which has chosen Cancer Research UK as their national charity for 2009.

The unit aims to raise awareness of how people can reduce their risk of cancer and spot signs and symptoms at an early stage as well as providing support to help people make positive changes to their lifestyle.

Visitors can talk to a specialist nurse, take a BMI test to find out whether their weight is within a healthy range and pick up useful health information to take away.

The Cancer Awareness Roadshow will be in situ at Market Place from 11am-5pm until May 1.

To find out more about the roadshow or how to reduce the risk of cancer and detect it early, visit www.cancer.org.uk/health