Breaking taboos with cancer pop-up shop (From Enfield Independent)

Mayor of London Boris Johnson hopes to break taboos with cancer pop-up shop in Edmonton Green Shopping Centre

2:40pm Friday 22nd February 2013 in News By Hermione Wright

The deputy mayor for London dropped into Edmonton this week to back a campaign encouraging people to speak abut cancer.

Politician Victoria Borwick visited the Get to Know Cancer shop in Edmonton Green Shopping Centre on Wednesday to see volunteers and medical staff at work.

The shop, which opened its doors at the beginning of the month, will remain open daily until March 3 to give people a chance to air concerns they may feel uncomfortable speaking to family and friends about.

Mrs Borwick said: “I hope this campaign will help Londoners feel able to ask for advice if they have noticed any changes or have symptoms they are worried might be cancer.

“This shop in Enfield provides a welcoming space on the high street where people pop in and have a confidential conversation.”

The shop is part of a campaign by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson, NHS London and London councils in a bid to change attitudes to cancer and increase early detection rates.

Mr Johnson said: "Although it's more widely known that cancer is easier to beat when it is diagnosed at an early stage, often the fear surrounding that dreaded C word can lead to people avoiding the issue completely.

"We want to break down the taboo and encourage people to speak out more quickly with any concerns."

People can drop in Monday to Saturday between 10am and 6pm and Sunday between 11am and 4pm without needing to book.