How C Aware is saving lives in the North Shields fishing community
C Aware, our joint programme with Macmillan Cancer Support, is now entering its second year!
That’s one full year of engaging with the North Shields fishing community to raise awareness of cancer symptoms, treatment, and aftercare, and encouraging early cancer screening.
If you’ve already met the C Aware team here’s what they’ve been up to.
One conversation – a lifetime of real change
“I was on the quayside sorting the catch when a C Aware Cancer Champion stopped for a chat,” says one fisherman from North Shields. “He was distributing mole checker cards, which help you spot early signs of skin cancer. I’d recently noticed some changes to a mole on my arm.”
That simple conversation prompted a GP visit at the first opportunity. Thankfully, he was given the all clear, but the experience shifted his thinking.
“I now understand the risks of being out at sea and having to protect my skin.”
Deb Johnstone, the C Aware Cancer Community Programme Manager, notes how this fisherman’s story is a reminder of the difference early cancer screening can make, and the impact of community engagement.
This fisherman has since gone on to become a Cancer Champion himself — a ripple effect that saves lives.
Visible results
Deb Johnstone, the C Aware Cancer Community Programme Manager, reflects on what this kind of interaction means:
“Cancer Champions play a crucial role. They encourage people to check for signs of cancer and seek early cancer screening.”
“In the past year C Aware has made a huge impact. We have delivered cancer information through face-to-face conversations, social media, promotional materials, focus groups, social events and our podcast.”
C Aware also responds directly to the concerns fishermen raise — arranging tailored awareness sessions on testicular, lung, and bowel cancer, and helping people understand how to use screening kits.
“Our Cancer Champions have supported the NHS Health Literacy Team with the redesign of hospital appointment letters to make them easier to understand.”
C Aware in numbers
Between April 2024 and April 2025, C Aware saw:
45
Cancer Champions recruited
11
Community focus groups
16
Cancer Awareness sessions
43
Quayside outreach events
965
Cancer-related conversations
Early detection saves John
“Hi, my name is John, and I am a former fisherman. I was worried about a mole that had changed colour but had put off getting it checked. After attending a skin cancer awareness session, I saw my GP and the hospital who confirmed a melanoma which has now been surgically removed. I’m so thankful and relieved for the awareness raised through the C Aware Team.”
A champion of our own
Norman is well-loved by the C Aware team, an outspoken Cancer Champion helping friends and colleagues stay informed:
“Hello, I’m Norman, and I am a C Aware Cancer Champion. C Aware has given me the platform to speak with medical professionals to ask and get answers on a variety of cancer questions.
This opportunity has increased my knowledge of what to look for with my own body. It has helped me and my friends in a very real way as I now share cancer information with them from the C Aware cancer awareness sessions I have attended. I really can’t think of a stronger motivation than that to be a Cancer Champion.”
Breaking the stigma
“By engaging directly with fishermen, we are breaking down barriers and reducing healthcare inequality in our fishing communities – and that is very good news!”
Deb’s words reflect what the numbers and stories all show: the conversation is changing, and saving lives.
Find out more about C Aware by following them on their dedicated Facebook page.
