{"id":448072,"date":"2023-12-10T17:08:04","date_gmt":"2023-12-10T17:08:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/totalcelnews.com\/?p=448072"},"modified":"2023-12-10T17:08:04","modified_gmt":"2023-12-10T17:08:04","slug":"first-dates-merlin-details-crucial-thing-that-could-have-beaten-cancer-sooner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/totalcelnews.com\/celebrities\/first-dates-merlin-details-crucial-thing-that-could-have-beaten-cancer-sooner\/","title":{"rendered":"First Dates’ Merlin details ‘crucial’ thing that could have beaten cancer sooner"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Merlin Griffiths, who has appeared as a bartender on Channel 4\u2019s First Dates for 10 years, is working with the NHS to raise awareness about cancer symptoms and to encourage the public to be more body aware. The 48-year-old was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in September 2021 and underwent chemotherapy and two operations to remove the tumour.<\/p>\n

Speaking about the new Help Us, Help You campaign, Merlin has shared a \u201ccrucial\u201d piece of advice that could have made his cancer more treatable.<\/p>\n

The bartender said: \u201cI know from my own experience that being body aware is crucial to an earlier cancer diagnosis and could make it more treatable.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all need to be comfortable with noticing bodily changes that could be a sign of cancer and speak to a GP practice as soon as possible – the NHS is here for you whatever the result.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m pleased the NHS Bus-ting Cancer Tour is visiting Coventry, where I was treated, and bringing this important message directly to the public.\u201d<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong> Julia Bradbury upsets family member as she strips off on TV after cancer battle<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg>View this post on Instagram<\/p>\n

A post shared by Merlin Griffiths (@merlinfdc4)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The blue double-decker bus toured the UK last week to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and urge people to visit their GP for potentially life-saving checks if they notice something unusual.<\/p>\n

The huge bus highlighted that of the 78 passengers the bus can carry, 65 would survive cancer if found at the earliest stage.<\/p>\n

It comes as new survey data found that five people wouldn\u2019t make a GP appointment if they noticed a change they thought could be cancer. The survey of 2000 adults also found a quarter would wait to see if a potential symptom gets better on its own or ignore it and hope it goes away.<\/p>\n

Don’t miss… <\/strong>
BBC Strictly Come Dancing star gutted as she’s forced to cancel show appearance[LATEST] <\/strong>
Dave Myers says \u2018without them, I couldn\u2019t have done it\u2019 in emotional update[INSIGHT] <\/strong>
Dean Sullivan\u2019s final appearance leaves Brookside fans emotional after his death[WATCH] <\/strong><\/p>\n

Merlin Griffiths says he is ‘doing well’ after Bowel cancer diagnosis<\/h3>\n