Pubs the focus of new cancer campaign

Licensees are being urged to support a new campaign drawing attention to bowel cancer.

The Colon Cancer Concern charity has launched an 18-month campaign, which will provide pubs with posters and beer mats to emphasis the dangers of the disease and highlight symptoms.

The charity is working in conjunction with the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) and has used the hard-hitting slogan "Sh*t Scared" on posters.

Jola Gore Booth, chief executive of Colon Cancer Cancer, said: "With pub support we hope people will be encouraged to become aware of the symptoms of the disease and act upon them."

Movie star and charity patron Honor Blackman as well as actor Elizabeth Estensen, the actress who plays the licensee of the Wool Pack pub, attended the launch, held at the Red Lion pub in Westminster, London, this week.

Also present was David Miners, head of membership recruitment at the British Institute of Innkeeping who was diagnosed with bowel cancer last year.

"The BII is supporting this campaign because it can make a massive difference. The number of people who use pubs and could see the posters will be huge."

Ms Blackman added: "It's a frightful disease and anyone who doesn't consider the dangers and get to the doctors is dotty. This campaign will hopefully push more people, particularly men, to the doctors sooner rather than later."

To order a supply of campaign beer mats or for more details contact Colon Cancer Concern on 0207 381 9711 or visit www.coloncancer.org.uk.

Pictured: Honor Blackman (right) with BII Dave Miner and Emerdale actress Elizabeth Estensen.​