Published on 24 September 2026
Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance (CMCA) has joined forces with The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre (CCC) to support Check Below Decks, a new initiative encouraging military and ex-military personnel to recognise possible signs of prostate and bowel cancer and seek advice early.
A launch event brought together ex-military personnel from across the region, along with their families and colleagues and marked the first step in what is hoped will become a wider campaign.
The initiative is designed to help people get to know their bodies and feel more confident talking about changes in areas that can sometimes be difficult or embarrassing to discuss.
Check Below Decks flags up signs and symptoms of prostate and bowel cancer. Prostate cancer is the UK’s most diagnosed cancer, with 175 men diagnosed every day. Bowel cancer can affect anyone, although it is more common in people aged over 50, it can be diagnosed at any age and is the fourth most common cancer in the UK.
The launch event, held at the Western Approaches Museum in Liverpool, also featured Mr Mike Chadwick, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at Whiston Hospital, and Paul Hollowday, a former Parachute Regiment officer who recently underwent prostate cancer checks after experiencing worrying symptoms and receiving a raised PSA result. Their contributions brought together clinical expertise and personal experience to reinforce the campaign’s wider message: know what is normal for you and seek advice if something changes.
Steve Jones, Senior Programme Manager at CMCA, said: “The Cancer Alliance is committed to helping people across Cheshire and Merseyside recognise the signs and symptoms of cancer and seek help as early as possible. Check Below Decks is a great example of organisations working together to reach communities in a way that feels relevant and accessible, giving military and ex-military personnel the knowledge and confidence to speak to their GP if something does not feel right.”
Dr Rick Walshaw, a Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Clatterbridge who specialises in prostate cancer and led the event, said: “Early diagnosis saves lives and events like Check Below Decks are vitally important to raise awareness amongst groups of people who may be more vulnerable to a cancer diagnosis.
“I was delighted to see so many ex-service personnel and their loved ones attend and I hope they left with an important message – to know the signs and to go to their doctor with any concerns.
“It’s important to note that the symptoms of cancer can also be signs of lots of much less serious conditions. So, one of our messages at Check Below Decks is to be aware of any changes in your body, such as going to the loo much more often or seeing blood when you go to the toilet and speak to your doctor if you are concerned.”