Jo Blackburn

I wanted to become a Cancer Champion as through my role as a Community Wellbeing Outreach Officer it gives me the opportunity to talk to people about their concerns around cancer.

I work within the farming community and consistently have conversations around symptoms, screening and treatments as many of the farmers either have  friends and family going through treatment or they are themselves.

Cancer can be a scary word  and I feel privileged to be able to talk through their feelings, answer their questions and explain processes leaving people feeling informed and reassured.

On a personal level it’s important to me to spread the word as I had the very early stages of bowel cancer a couple of years ago in my forty’s. The early detection meant that I have had a positive outcome and I feel able to be open about my experience and confident when talking to others about their story.