A CHARITY has launched a new service to encourage people to become more aware of cancer and its symptoms.

Oxford-based charity UCARE, which was founded by consultants at the Churchill Hospital in Headington, has employed a specialist nurse to meet people and educate them on forms of cancer, so they can detect the disease earlier and have a greater chance of successful treatment.

Urological nurse Gemma Crane has been handed the task of relaying information on prostate, kidney, bladder, testicular and penile cancers and started her role by visiting members at Studley Wood Golf Club, near Oxford.

Members of the club’s senior section raised a total of £11,000 to support her work.

Ms Crane has been a nurse for more than 10 years and specialises in urological cancers at the Churchill Hospital in Headington.

She said: “It’s quite important in terms of raising awareness and encouraging people to seek help if they have any problems.

“Part of my role is to do presentations and talks in communities on general wellbeing but in particular cancer.

“It’s important that people look for an early diagnosis because it’s better for them to get cured.

“The job came up and suited me and I just thought by helping the charity I could give something back. It’s really exciting.”

The forms of cancer targeted by the charity often have low public profile, resulting in symptoms not being recognised and not being taken seriously.

UCARE said one in four cancer patients are diagnosed only after going to A&E. This figure rises to one in three in people for those over 70.

UCARE’s Valerie Berry said: “Gemma will visit GPs, schools, colleges, universities, clubs, societies, associations and businesses, delivering information about the signs and symptoms of urological cancers.”