Alongside our health charity partners, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and Diabetes UK, we’re committed to making a difference to the health of our customers and colleagues by tackling the three conditions that affect many of the UK population: type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

At present, one in two people will develop cancer at some point in their lives, and early diagnosis can save lives.

However, too often, many of us will put off seeking advice on something that’s worrying us because we’re too busy, can’t get a GP appointment at a convenient time or simply don’t want to be seen as someone who makes a fuss.

So today, with our partners at CRUK, we’re launching a campaign to prompt customers who are experiencing unusual symptoms or are concerned about cancer to get expert information and support while they shop.

If you’ve spotted something that doesn’t look or feel right, or that isn’t going away, you can talk to one of our in-store pharmacists about what to do next. 

Being able to have a conversation with one of our pharmacists about a worrying symptom could lead to a much quicker cancer diagnosis and increase the likelihood of a successful outcome.

Our Tesco pharmacists can advise you on the common signs and symptoms of cancer and, if necessary, can signpost you to get further support and diagnosis.

They have received extra training from Cancer Research UK – as part of our award-winning Health Charity Partnership with the UK’s leading health charities – and are available for a confidential chat in one of our private consultation rooms. 

So, when you are next shopping at Tesco, either for your weekly shop or just popping in for a few extras, think about dropping by the pharmacy counter to talk to one of our colleagues wearing a ‘Let’s Talk’ badge.

– Oonagh Turnbull is head of health campaigns at Tesco