HEALTH MATTERS
WORLD Cancer Day
This day is a global initiative led by the union for international cancer control (UICC).
Whilst we are trying to make an impact in Cheshire, the UICC are raising global awareness, improving education, catalysing personal, collective and government actions.
Over the years this has grown into a positive movement as we face of our greatest challenges in History.
Cancer is a disease which occurs when changes in a group of normal cells within the body lead to uncontrolled, abnormal growth forming a lump called a tumour; this is true of all cancers except leukaemia (cancer of the blood).
Here are some alarming facts:
9.6 million people die from cancer each year, that’s more than HIV/Aids, malaria and tuberculosis combined.
1/3 of cancers can be prevented
It’s the secondleading cause of death worldwide
The goal is to reduce premature deaths from cancer & noncommunicable diseases by 1/3 by 2030; if we don’t act the amount of deaths could reach 13 million a year by 2030. To help this we need to make sure there is equal access to cancer treatment as this can save lives.
Today we know more than ever before, through investment in research and innovation, we have witnessed extraordinary breakthroughs in medicine, diagnostics and scientific knowledge.
You can help; whether this be telling your friends and family, using your social media profile, setting up events, using your voice, translating materials or creating your own poster.
Whoever you are, we all have a role to play.
For more information and to find out how to create your own poster please go to www. worldcancerday.org/
LIKE many residents, I remain deeply concerned about proposals to develop up to 400 homes on either side of Chelford Road in Broken Cross and
Henbury.
One of the planning applications, for 232 homes on land south of Chelford Road, is due to be considered by Cheshire East Council’s strategic planning board on February 26.
Ahead of that meeting, I have written to the council, to highlight my clear opposition, and that of many local residents, to this development, based on well-established concerns.
Air quality remains a clear issue.
Broken Cross already has a number of ongoing challenges with air quality and pollution and is within a designated air quality management area.
That’s why it is vital for there to be a full assessment of the cumulative impact of these developments on local air quality, with detailed action plans setting out how these serious concerns will be mitigated.
Significant concerns about the impact of the development on local infrastructure, including local roads and school places, also remain unaddressed, as do important issues in relation to the significant loss of biodiversity on important wildlife sites and the presence of peat land.
Drainage and flood risk management are also key issues.
Only recently, significant surface water flooding occurred on Chelford Road and Pexhill Road, with drains overwhelmed during Storm Ciara.
Save Macclesfield Green Belt group and Henbury Parish Council have rightly highlighted the proposed development is likely to reduce the potential for surface water to successfully drain from the site.
It is, therefore, essential for further consideration to be given to flood risk.
The strategic planning board should give the many concerns of local residents the serious consideration they deserve, at such a strategic location for the town.