By Steve Graves
POP icon Ronan Keating is to make a 'virtual' visit to the region to spread the cancer awareness message.
The former Boyzone frontman, who lost his mother Marie to breast cancer, is fronting an interactive roadshow run by Cancer Research UK, which will be at Mold's New Street car park from February 13 to 15.
The Cancer Awareness Roadshow campaign is part of a collaboration between Cancer Research UK and the Marie Keating Foundation.
The interactive unit, which is fronted by Ronan, aims to raise awareness of how people can reduce their risk of cancer and spot signs of the disease at an early stage.
Visitors will be able to speak to specialist nurses, test their lungs, take part in a quiz and pick up useful health information to take away.
The Cancer Awareness Roadshow coincides with a recent survey by Cancer Research UK which showed that nearly a quarter of people in Wales see cancer as their greatest fear, alongside Alzheimer's, heart disease and terrorism.
The survey also showed that people in Wales don't realise how many cases of cancers could be prevented by lifestyle factors.
Less than one in five correctly said that half of all cancers could be prevented by changes to lifestyle.
Two units are touring England, Wales and Scotland thanks to the partnership between Cancer Research UK and the Marie Keating Foundation, which was set up by Ronan and his family following the death of his mother, aged just 51.
Ronan said: "Because I lost my mother to breast cancer, I understand how frightening the disease can be.
"I'm really pleased to be backing the Cancer Awareness Roadshow because I believe that knowing more about how cancer can be prevented or picked up early will take away some of the fear and ultimately help to save lives."
Cancer Research UK's director of cancer information, Dr Lesley Walker, said: "We're inviting everyone to step on board our roadshow to find out what they can do to help lower their own cancer risk.
"While on board, visitors can talk to a nurse in our private consultation room, pick up our health information leaflets, play our interactive quiz or even put their lungs to the test with our 'smokelisers'.
"Even though survival for most types of cancer is better now than it ever has been, our survey highlights just how frightened we are of getting cancer.
"Crucially, it also highlights a lack of awareness about how many cancers could be avoided.
"If people know what they can do to help prevent the disease, we hope that it will allay some fears and the roadshow is a great way of doing this."
The full article contains 451 words and appears in Evening Leader Wrexham newspaper.
Last Updated: 07 February 2008 10:57 AM
