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50 Inishowen locals get cancer
advice
01.05.08
by Simon McGeady, Inishowen Independent
THE WESTERN area mobile cancer information unit of
the Marie Keating Foundation was in Inishowen last
weekend. The bus parked up at James' Street, Moville
on Friday and Super Valu in Buncrana on Sunday.
Over the two days, 50 local people dropped into the
Castlebar-based unit for specialist cancer advice.
Attending nurse Phil Keating also gave a talk in the
Foyle Hotel, Moville, on Friday evening.
In Moville, 27 people were given private
consultations, seven of them men and in Buncrana 23
people attended the mobile unit, eight of them male.
Over the two days five people were referred to their
local doctors.
For Mrs Keating, the visit to Inishowen had been
well worthwhile. |
“Anytime someone steps
onto the bus to talk to us it’s a worthwhile trip. I
would say we got a good response in both towns.
“The age range of people coming to see us in Moville
was a good bit younger than those coming to the unit
in Buncrana. In Moville we had a lot of people in
their 20s and 30s while in Buncrana most of the
people were 40 and over. |
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Following the death of
Marie Keating in 1998 each member of the Keating
family promised that they would do everything they
could to tackle the problem of breast cancer.
“Marie’s family believe information could have saved
her life. She had a treatable form of Breast Cancer,
but by the time her condition was investigated the
cancer had spread.”
Advice is dispensed on all types of cancers and the
message coming from the Marie Keating Foundation is
that regular check ups are a must to ensure early
detection.
“The survival rate for most cancers is improving all
the time and one of the reasons for this is that in
a lot of cases people are presenting to their
doctors earlier.”
Nurse Phil said it was encouraging that people felt
they could discuss cancer with a stranger like her
and that this change of attitude is helping save
lives.
“If you notice a change and you are worried about it
then find out why, if you are not satisfied with the
doctors explanation or find no change within two or
three weeks go back to the doctor or get a second
opinion. Remember, early detection is key and nobody
knows your body better than you.”
Meanwhile, The Beauty Salon, James St, Moville, are
taking part in the Foundation’s Beauty in Pink
Campaign this Saturday, May 3. You are invited to
call to the salon to find out more. |
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