Royal Greenwich Pharmacies Help Fight Cancer Through Tip The Balance Scheme

by WO Admin | Greenwich

The Royal Borough of Greenwich this week joined local pharmacists in encouraging residents to take advantage of free, confidential advice on checking for signs and symptoms of cancer.

Raj Matharu outlines the Tip The Balance campaign to
Cllr Scott-McDonald. (Credit: RBG)

Under the Royal Borough’s ‘Tip The Balance’ campaign, 23 local pharmacies have now received specialist training in helping residents to check for signs and symptoms of cancer.

On Thursday 23 July, 2015 Cllr Denise Scott-McDonald, the Royal Borough’s Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing and Public Health, visited the Mangal Pharmacy in Sherard Medical Centre, Eltham, to thank the pharmacists for their role in the campaign.

There she met Alka Anita Rikhi, lead pharmacist at Mangal Pharmacy, and Raj Matharu, Chief Officer for Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC).

Her visit took place as a national campaign was underway to raise awareness of breast cancer in women over 70.

The Royal Borough’s ‘Tip the Balance’ campaign aims to press home the importance of diagnosing cancer in its earlier stages, as this often makes it easier to treat, and can mean the chances of recovery are much better.

Cllr Scott-McDonald said: “It’s terrific that we now have a network of pharmacies across the borough that can help residents spot cancer early, or put minds at ease about worrying symptoms."

“Pharmacists are also well-placed to give advice on lifestyle issues, as four in ten cancers could be avoided through changes like stopping smoking, eating more healthily and taking more exercise.”

l-r: Cllr Scott-McDonald, Alka Anita Rikhi, Raj Matharu
hold the Tip The Balance Poster. (Credit: RBG)

Raj Matharu said: “Pharmacists are well placed in the local community and are easily accessible by the general public.

“The training received by local pharmacists in helping people identify the early signs of cancer can improve treatment options. An early check on worrying symptoms can also provide reassurance if they are revealed not to be cancer – and can help ensure you get the right treatment for those symptoms.

“If there are symptoms that are worrying you, why not call in to see your local pharmacist for specialist advice and guidance?”

Symptoms such as unusual lumps or body changes, bleeding, unexpected fatigue and weight loss often turn out to be related to a cause that is not cancer, but the advice from specialists is to get worrying symptoms checked – especially if they persist, or if there are changes in symptoms.

For a confidential discussion with one of the trained pharmacists, visit any of the local pharmacies listed on the Tip the Balance pharmacy pages at:

www.greenwichhealthyliving.nhs.uk.

You can also visit your GP.

For more information about the signs and symptoms of cancer visit :

www.spotcancerearly.com.

For advice on improving your lifestyle to reduce cancer risks, visit :

www.tipthebalance.org.uk.