Video: Scots cancer survivor fronts new awareness drive

Gordon Robertson will front the new campaign. Picture: Cancer Research UK

Gordon Robertson is appearing in posters near hospital sites throughout Glasgow which highlight crucial cancer information that’s available to patients and their loved ones.

His image has also become familiar to thousands of Facebook users as the campaign has been reaching out across social media.

The initiative, which is running for the first time in Scotland, is designed to help people find answers at any stage of their cancer journey, from understanding symptoms to coping after treatment.

Gordon was diagnosed with bowel cancer in October 2010. Surgery followed but, because Gordon, aged 51, visited the doctor as soon as he suspected something was wrong, the cancer was diagnosed early and he didn’t need other treatment such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

He said: “I know from personal experience just how daunting a cancer diagnosis can be. You might have a hundred different questions and not know where to go or who to ask. It can be completely overwhelming.

“The first place I turned to after I was diagnosed with cancer was the internet. But there is so much information out there which is why it’s so important that patients and their loved ones go to a reliable source when searching for answers. Thanks to Cancer Research UK’s online and telephone services, people who have been diagnosed with cancer can access a wealth of information from the privacy of their own homes.

“Being able to easily access accurate information you can trust can make a huge difference, especially when everything feels beyond your control.

“I’m really proud to back this campaign because I feel it’s vital to help people find crucial information about cancer, at a time when they need it most.”

Every day, around 83 people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland*.

Cancer Research UK offers a range of expert patient information services which include: a helpline, run by cancer nurses, where people can discuss any aspect of cancer, a ‘Cancer Chat’ forum where people can share their experiences of cancer and a unique clinical trials database where patients can search for information about local cancer trials.

These will be displayed on bus stops and billboards around the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow Western Infirmary and Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

Linda Summerhayes, Cancer Research UK spokesperson in Scotland, said: “We’re very grateful to Gordon for his support.

“As our adverts highlight, our expertise in research means we can help more people like Gordon and his family make sense of cancer.

“We would encourage anyone with questions or concerns about cancer to visit our website and find out more or pick up the phone to talk confidentially to one of our cancer nurses.”