Supermarket giant Marks & Spencer is set to make a huge change to the packaging of one of the most important products. The latest move by the retailer is in hope that it will help to save lives and raise awareness of a life threatening disease.
M&s are set to add bowel cancer signs and symptoms onto its toilet roll packaging in a bid to spread the message about the disease with their 30 million customers. The news comes just weeks after the inspiring Deborah James who is also known as BowelBabe, shared the news that she is now receiving end-of-life care at her parents' home as a result of the cancer.
In partnership with Bowel Cancer UK the toilet roll will have the charity’s logo and symptoms infographic on the packaging across its entire toilet roll range from this September. The packaging will enable customers to scan a QR code so they can find out more on Bowel Cancer UK’s website, reports the MEN.
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Customers and employees alike spot some new signs about bowel cancer symptoms in-store and in the store toilets from as early as next month. It is hoped that the move will help save lives by aiding early detection and diagnosis.
The idea came from M&S Clothing and Home colleague Cara Hoofe, who submitted her idea to the M&S’ colleague suggestion scheme. Cara herself was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer back in 2016 at just 32-years-old and was inspired to put forward the idea by the heroic fundraising and campaigning efforts of podcast host Deborah James.
Cara has 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.”
Sadly bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and in turn is the second biggest cancer killer. With nearly 43,000 people being diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK.
The disease is treatable and curable if it is diagnosed early. However shockingly 60 percent of people who are diagnosed are at the later stages of the cancer when it is much more difficult to treat.
Not only is the retailer making a huge effort to raise awareness they are also making a whopping £50,000 donation to Bowel Cancer UK. That will go a long way to help its mission to save lives and continue to improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer.
M&S and Bowel Cancer UK are now calling on other retailers to join them introducing updated toilet packing. That is to help raise awareness of the symptoms that can help with an early diagnosis among as many people as possible.
Stuart Machin, who is the 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 in 2022 M&S extended its partnership with Check4Cancer. It now includes screening support for colleagues who are at 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.”
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