A free mobile cancer support service visited Weymouth and Portland to give residents top tips on how to avoid cancer.

The service, organised by Macmillan Cancer Support, travelled around Dorset in a bright green van named Bertie, and gave residents specialist information about sun safety and the risk of cancer.

The Macmillan service visited Weymouth Esplanade on June 29 and Portland on June 30. 

Tina Churchill, a specialist from Macmillan Cancer Information and Support, told the Dorset Echo that the mobile team had a ‘great response’ from Weymouth’s residents. She added:  “The Macmillan Mobile Team travel far and wide across the South West of England offering Cancer Information and Support to local communities. The team has visited Weymouth for many years and always receives a great response there.

“We met over 40 people on the Esplanade and gave out information to a further 50. We were able to offer support and refer people to local support available in their areas, as well as advise them about the range of services that Macmillan can offer them.  It was great to be joined on the day by a local Macmillan GP and new Cancer Support Workers from Dorchester Hospital.”

Tina also commented on the risk of skin cancer. She said: “Skin cancer, if caught early, is very treatable and actually has one of the highest survival rates of all cancers.

"Being sun aware is key. Our advice is to avoid sun beds, wear a high SPF sun screen with a four-star rating or more so it will block out UVA as well as UVB rays, and cover up in the sun.”

The number of people developing melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, is continuing to rise, with around 110,330 people living with malignant melanoma in the UK, and 13,500 people diagnosed every year - approximately 37 people every day.

It is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, and slightly more common in women than in men.

For more information visit macmillan.org.uk