Marks & Spencer is making a huge change to the packaging of a product that makes it into almost every weekly shop. The retailer hopes the move will help save lives and raise awareness of a life threatening disease.
The supermarket giant will be adding bowel cancer signs and symptoms onto its toilet roll packaging, in a bid to spread the message with their 30 million customers. It comes just weeks after Deborah James, also known as BowelBabe, revealed that she is receiving end-of-life care at her parents' home as a result of the illness.
The retailer’s partnership with Bowel Cancer UK will see the charity’s logo and symptoms infographic on-pack across its entire toilet roll range from September, where customers can scan a QR code to find out more on Bowel Cancer UK’s website.
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Customers and employees will spot new signage about bowel cancer symptoms in-store and in store toilets from next month. The move is designed to help save lives by aiding early detection and diagnosis.
The idea originated from M&S Clothing and Home colleague Cara Hoofe, who submitted it to M&S’ colleague suggestion scheme. Cara was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in 2016 at 32 years old and was inspired to put forward the idea by the amazing fundraising and campaigning efforts of Deborah James.
She said: “Deborah is a huge inspiration to me and so many other young people diagnosed with bowel cancer. I feel fortunate my journey since diagnosis has taken a different path but I want to give a voice to all those who can no longer use theirs to raise awareness.
“Early detection is so important and my main message to people is don’t feel embarrassed, get things checked out and speak to your doctor. I’ve worked at M&S for over ten years and am so happy they are putting my idea into action and so quickly – I’m hoping other companies will consider joining us.”
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and the second biggest cancer killer. Nearly 43,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK however the disease is treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early. However 60 per cent of people are diagnosed at later stages when it is much more difficult to treat.
Alongside its efforts to raise awareness, the retailer is also making a £50,000 donation to Bowel Cancer UK to help in its mission to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer.
M&S and Bowel Cancer UK are calling on other retailers to join them introducing updated toilet packing, to help raise awareness of symptoms among as many people as possible.
Stuart Machin, CEO at M&S, said: ”It’s hugely rewarding to be able to put such a fantastic suggestion into action in my first week on the job. Cara’s idea will undoubtedly help to save lives and by working with Bowel Cancer UK we can get the message out there to check for symptoms and if you have any concerns, to go and see your doctor.”
Earlier this year, M&S extended its partnership with Check4Cancer to include screening support for colleagues with a higher risk of bowel cancer.
Genevieve Edwards, Chief Executive of Bowel Cancer UK, said: “We are delighted to partner with M&S to raise vital awareness of bowel cancer symptoms with people all over the country. It’s the UK’s fourth most common cancer, with someone diagnosed with the disease every 15 minutes in the UK.
“ This brilliant initiative will help millions of people across the UK know what to look out for and will undoubtedly save lives. We're incredibly grateful to Cara and the team for their commitment to making this happen.”
