In a brand new development for CHFT, our colleagues have been to a secondary school in Halifax to talk to teenagers about the importance of checking their bodies.

Early detection is key to the success of any cancer diagnosis, so an hour-long session at Park Lane School in Exley was organised by our Macmillan Information manager, Dinah Coggon.

The "Checkemlads" spoke to the boys about testicular cancers, and a representative from the Teenage Cancer Trust spoke to the girls about signs and symptoms and how lifestyle choices can cause cancer. The pupils were between 14 -15 year olds, and CHFT went in at the invitation of the school and the day was supported by CHFT's Urology CNS’S Miriam Slade and Shawna Doyle.

Carolyn Smith, PA to many of our cancer leads, said: "It was brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Yes there were giggles but when we asked how many of their families had been affected there were so many hands in the air.

“One girl was going through it and she had to leave the room but kept coming back. At the end she told us we had helped her to understand so much about it. And if I’ve made a difference to just one child that is great.”

She added: "They are taught about sexual health and girls are offered the cervical cancer jab yet they aren't told much more. The boys said it was presented in a fun way yet we are getting across a lesson for life."

Goodybags were also given out with penis postits and information leaflets to take home. Dinah left contact details for any of them to talk to her confidentially. 

Feedback from the day included....

• ‘Very good, the checkemlads made it a fun conversation’
• ‘I found this very informative’

What else is Dinah up to?

Dinah will be having a stand at the Black and Minority Ethinic Group Health Forum today between 12 and 2pm at Queens Road Neighbourhood Centre, Halifax.

She's also organised a Look Good Feel Better Make up master class for cancer patients on Wednesday 1 June at Briar Court Hotel between 11am – 1pm.