Action Cancer Opens £2.4M Screening and Therapeutic Centre
Action Cancer Patron, Gloria Hunniford OBE has officially opened the charity’s new Screening and Therapeutic Centre. The new ‘Action Cancer House’, located at Windsor Avenue, Belfast, represents a 2.4-million-pound investment by the charity to meet the needs of current and future generations of local people affected by cancer.
The charity now operates the UK’s first 3D digital breast cancer screening at the new Centre. Compared to existing 2D technology, Action Cancer will now be able to detect more cancers and reduce the number of women being called for further investigation. For instance, during the trial period there was a 30% reduction in the number of women referred for a second opinion because of this revolutionary technology. Action Cancer provides free breast screening to 10,000 women each year aged 40-49 or 70 plus (outside of NHS screening age range).
Gareth Kirk, Action Cancer’s Chief Executive said; “Great strides continue to be made in the charity’s three key areas – cancer prevention, detection and support. It is estimated that by 2020 one in two people will receive a cancer diagnosis during their life time.
It is further estimated by 2030, 13,000 local people will be diagnosed with cancer every year and the number of those living with a diagnosis will be 100,000. We have witnessed a year-on-year increased demand for our services. We outgrew our old building and our new facility means that we can now offer more services to more people.”
Action Cancer Patron, Gloria Hunniford OBE said; “I have been involved with Action Cancer for over 40 years and have always admired the work that the charity carries out. During this time, hundreds of thousands of local people have benefited from the services provided by the charity. The stark reality is that everyone knows someone affected by a cancer diagnosis, and this new Centre will save, support or reassure local people now and in the years to come.”
The new Therapeutic Centre houses 7 dedicated rooms, staffed by professional counsellors and therapists, offering a range of free sessions that have been proven to reduce anxiety and pain symptoms, and improve sleep and emotional wellbeing. Services are provided to children and adults, including counselling, life coaching, complementary therapies, acupuncture, reflexology, physiotherapy and scar therapy.
Ashley Hurst is an Ambassador for the charity. She adds, “Action Cancer saved my life through its breast screening service. Thankfully I am now cancer free but the impact of a cancer diagnosis on your mental health is massive and long lasting. I have used counselling at Action Cancer to deal with the emotional after effects and help me to cope and adjust to a new normal.”
The new facility also provides a dedicated room for men and women aged 16+ to receive a Health Check. The assessment includes blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol, and body composition analysis. It does not diagnose cancer, but provides a snap-shot of current health, and offers advice on improving overall health, to reduce cancer risk.
Services at the new Centre are all free of charge. Appointments can now be booked online at www.actioncancer.org or by calling 028 9080 3344.
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