Brierfield training provider inspired by breast cancer survivor

Nicola Hall, director of Curriculum Innovation and Partnerships, came across Roisin’s social media campaign and was instantly compelled to reach out and discover how LAL could assist and support Roisin’s awareness campaign to reach even more people.

Nicola said “Breast Cancer affects one in seven women, but with early detection it can be treated effectively. We are perfectly positioned at Lancashire Adult Learning to help raise awareness of the importance of self-examination."

Aimed at those adults where English is a foreign language, Lancashire Adult Learning deliver a variety of Health Literacy courses, delivered in partnership with organisations across Lancashire.

The ‘Screening for Prevention and Good Health’ course aims to increase learners’ knowledge about the importance of health screening, and the main screening programmes available.

For learners where English is a second language, it provides the opportunity to enhance their language skills and with this enhanced knowledge and confidence, they are then better prepared to deal with health conditions and take responsibility for looking after themselves and their family.

Sarah Haworth, head of Curriculum Health and Wellbeing, is working with the teaching teams at LAL to embed the key messages around the importance of early cancer detection within the curriculum.

Sarah said: “By embedding key messages about breast cancer within our curriculum, we hope to not only raise further awareness, but help to normalise conversations about cancer so people are confident to carry out self-examination and follow up anything they feel unsure about with their GP. Early detection is vital and can result in effective treatment that can save lives.”

Roisin’s passion in raising awareness and educating people on this important campaign has led her to work closely with East Lancashire Hospital Trust (ELHT) as well as LAL to highlight the important key messages around breast cancer in pregnancy. Roisin has produced a fantastic information leaflet which the Trust will implement locally with a view to a wider roll-out across the Alliance in due course.

Roisin said "The close partnership between ELTH and LAL signifies a change in the way of early detection of breast cancer - through a combination of clinical and academic means. Its work will educate both midwives and new or expecting mums and open up the conversation about breast cancer in pregnancy. I know this will in turn save many lives and hope it paves the way for Trusts throughout the country in the future."

Read more about Roisin’s personal journey, read her wonderful Blogs and watch her amazing daughter Ivy share her own perspective at https://www.fightypants.com