On 13 October 2026 we went to the Answer Cancer Champion Award Ceremony and came away feeling inspired. The event brought together community groups, volunteers, local organisations and partners. They all share one aim: making sure people in our communities understand why cancer screening matters.
Why screening matters
Cancer is real, but when it is found early there is hope. Screening programmes can find cancer before symptoms appear, when treatment is more likely to work. Even so, many people in our communities never take up their screening invitations. Some face language barriers. Others are unsure what the tests involve, are worried, or simply don’t know the services exist.
That is where Answer Cancer Champions come in. They are trusted people in their own communities who start conversations, share information and encourage others to take up their screening appointments.
Projects led by the community
The ceremony was a chance to hear about the work groups are doing locally. Here are two of them:
- Embracing Wellness: Screen with Confidence, from Wonderfully Made Woman. The project aims to raise awareness of the importance of screening, create safe spaces to talk about healthy eating and recruit 50 Answer Cancer Champions.
- Happy Screening: Empowering Women to Raise Breast Cancer Awareness in Bury. This project found local women who wanted to become champions. It supported them with training and wellbeing sessions and worked with them to plan activities. It led up to a Community Open Day at The Oasis Centre in Whitefield during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
We also heard from ALL FM 96.9, “the real voice of Manchester”.
Why this matters to us
At Community Upskilling we support our community, including asylum seekers and refugees, through English language and ICT courses, interpreting and employability skills. We know that language and confidence can decide whether someone gets the healthcare they need.
Understanding a screening letter and feeling confident enough to book an appointment can save a life. Events like this remind us how much we gain by working with partners who share our commitment to our communities.
Thank you
Thank you to everyone who goes the extra mile to raise awareness of screening programmes in our communities. Congratulations to all of this year’s Answer Cancer Champions for the lives you are helping to save.
Special thanks to:
- Answer Cancer
- Salford CVS
- Salford City Council
- Greater Manchester Combined Authority
- Happy Me Community
- Salford ESOL
- Postcode Lottery UK
Cancer is real, and if it is detected early, there is hope. So let’s get screened, because a life can be saved.
To find out more about our English language, ICT, interpreting and employability support, visit What We Do or get in touch.
