Free skin cancer advice in Princesshay

Free advice for anyone concerned about skin cancer will be available in Princesshay this weekend. Specialist nurses from the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital’s dermatology department will be at the Eastgate end of the precinct from 10am to 4pm on Saturday May 12.

With temperatures on the rise and summer just around the corner, Claire Facey and Sarah Sandford will be on hand to answer questions and offer confidential help and advice. The drop-in service is part of a partnership between FORCE Cancer Charity, the RD&E and Princesshay.

A representative from FORCE will also be there on May 12 to let people know about the face-to-face support available locally to anyone affected by cancer.

The advice and information session coincides with the British Association of Dermatologists’ annual Sun Awareness Week campaign. Levels of skin cancer in the South West are extremely high - comparable to Australia – and FORCE has worked with experts for the last four years to offer free mole check clinics at Honiton Show.

Awareness days are part of an exciting new partnership between FORCE and Princesshay, which has chosen the Exeter-based organisation as its Charity of the Year for 2018.

The link offers FORCE great fundraising opportunities plus the chance to raise the profile of cancer services in Exeter.

FORCE will be in the heart of the city throughout the year to promote the work it does and help raise the £1.5million needed every year to maintain the services it offers to thousands of local people.

The charity:

• funds a local programme of cancer research

• has spent more than £1million on equipment to improve patient care at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital

• runs a Support and Information Centre in Exeter and weekly services in Tiverton and Okehampton.

Oly Watts, Fundraising Development Officer at FORCE, said: “This is another great opportunity for FORCE, together with the RD&E Hospital, to come together in our community to offer advice and support to anyone who may need it.”

Australians, who know a thing or two about sun protection, have some simple tips to stay safe when it’s scorchio.

• SLIP on a shirt

• SLOP on the sunscreen

• SLAP on a hat

• SLIDE on some sunglasses

• SEEK shade or shelter