NHS messages prompting gym-goers and swimmers to look out for potential signs of cancer are appearing on mirrors in the changing rooms of leisure centres across Cornwall.

The eye-catching stickers will feature the message ‘Check you out’ and ‘Know what’s normal for you’ - reminding people that if something in their body doesn’t feel right, they should contact their GP practice.

The scheme is the latest push by the NHS to find cancers at an earlier stage, with Better being the first leisure provider in the UK to focus on cancer awareness.

The new initiative comes as a survey by Better found that only 57 per cent of respondents in the South West check their bodies for physical changes regularly (at least once a month), and 10 per cent don’t check at all.

Jaqui Hubbard, a swim teacher at Helston Sports Centre, wholeheartedly supports the awareness campaign: “I discovered a wart on my upper right arm in 2022 which had changed shape and colour and was about the size of a fifty pence piece," she said. 

Helston swimming teacher Jaqui Hubbard is fully behind this campaign after she was diagnosed with skin cancer Helston swimming teacher Jaqui Hubbard is fully behind this campaign after she was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2022 (Image: Supplied)

“I went to my GP who referred me to a specialist, and it turned out to be a skin cancer tumour.

“Without treatment, I’d have been unlikely to survive more than two years, so I tell everyone to get themselves checked out immediately if they spot any new mark, lump or abnormality." 

She added: “A cancer diagnosis is devastating but getting treated early can make all the difference. That’s why these new stickers on changing room mirrors in all Better leisure centres across Cornwall are so important.

“They really could save lives.”

James Curry, Head of Service for GLL in Cornwall, said: “We aim to improve health and wellbeing in our local community, and we’re delighted to be partnering with NHS England in this vital campaign.

“The survey we conducted indicates a need to raise awareness of potential signs of cancer and the mirror stickers will hopefully act as a timely reminder to our customers to check themselves regularly.”

NHS staff are working hard to see and treat more people with cancer than ever before, with over 50,000 patients starting cancer treatment in June – more than nine in ten within one month – and over a quarter of a million people referred for urgent cancer checks.