CATS Campaign

A charity in Salford that raises awareness for cancer among teenagers has urged young people to be “aware of the risks and signs” of cancer.

The Cancer Awareness in Teenagers and Young People Society (Cats)  was set up in 2014 to let students and young people know of the symptoms relating to cancer.

More than 2,500 young people are diagnosed with cancer every year, and Cats Salford president Duncan Cathie being aware is hugely important in itself.

He said: “You see on the news quite a lot that there are things that cause cancer but most of them seem to affect older people.

“There are actually tons of cancers that are prevalent in teenagers and young people throughout the UK – lymphoma especially.”

The campaign now runs nationwide, with branches in Manchester, Cambridge, London and Liverpool. However Mr Cathie doesn’t think it will stop there.

“The campaign is looking at setting up with more societies and more universities but also spreading into local clubs and workplaces,” he said.

“It’s not just young people who need to be more aware, it’s basically everyone.”

Cats also wants young people to know about the five key signs of cancer – persistent and unexplained pain; a lump, bump or swelling; significant weight loss; extreme tiredness and changes in a mole.

Anyone spotting any of these signs are spotted should visit a medical professional or GP just to be safe. The Cats slogan is “most of the time it is nothing, but sometimes it could be something.”

Any young people with concerns about the risk of cancer can visit the Cats Campaign website on http://www.thecatscampaign.org/ or visit the NHS website for more information.

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