Cancer Awareness Roadshows

Boyzone star Ronan Keating is lending his support to a Cancer Awareness Roadshow that is visiting the Black Country in March and April.

The Cancer Research UK mobile health information unit will be touring Halesowen, Stourbridge, Willenhall, Brownhills and Darlaston between now and April as part of a collaboration with the Marie Keating Foundation.

The foundation was launched by Ronan and his family following the death of his mother 13 years from breast cancer. She was just 51.

The unit, supported by the star, aims to raise awareness about how people can reduce their risk of cancer and the importance of early diagnosis. It will also provide support for those who want to make changes to their lifestyle.

Visitors will be able to talk to a specialist nurse in a private consultation room, 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 service is free.

"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,” explained Ronan.

“Since we began working in partnership with Cancer Research UK in 2006, the Roadshow has proved a huge success with over 175,000 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."

Christine Campbell, senior Cancer Awareness Roadshow nurse in the West Midlands, said: “We hope to talk to members of the public – men and women, young and old - about how cancer can be prevented and detected.”

The Cancer Awareness Roadshow will be in Somer Square, Halesowen on Thursday, 17 March before moving to Coventry Street, Stourbridge,from Tuesday, 22 March 22 to Thursday, 24 March 24.

It will visit Willenhall on Wednesday, 13 April, Brownhills on Thursday, 14 April and Darlaston on Friday, 15 April.