Published on 22 May 2025
Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance is proud to launch its new campaign, Two Minutes of Chat and An Early Screening, featuring TV stars Will Mellor and Ralf Little.
The CMCA has worked with Runcorn-born writer and creator of Two Pints of Lager and A Packet of Crisps, Susan Nickson, to create the campaign for Halton to raise awareness of cancer screening.
Susan wrote scripts for videos in the campaign that harnessed the power and humour of the much-loved cult classic TV sitcom, based in Runcorn, to relate to local residents to encourage people to go for their breast, bowel and cervical screenings when invited.
Susan said: “When I was asked to get involved with the campaign it was an immediate yes. Cancer is a subject that is so important and is one that sadly so many of us have been affected by, whether personally or with friends and loved ones.
"During the process of writing these scripts it was really important to keep the tone relatable, humorous while maintaining technical and medical accuracy. To make sure we did this I worked closely with the team at the Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance, health professionals, local residents and cancer survivors to hear their experiences.
"I also wanted to help remove barriers to why people aren’t going for their screenings in a way that normalises chatting about cancer screenings whether it’s round a table in a cafe, on a walk or at the pub with friends and family.”
The videos were filmed with local Runcorn and Widnes residents, rather than actors, at some well-known venues across the area. Also making an appearance in the campaign are the famous faces of Will and Ralf, who are widely recognised to Halton residents as they help show how important it is to start those conversations about breast, bowel and cervical cancer screenings.
They said: “It’s important for us to get involved in the campaign and raise awareness on how important it is to go for a screening but also normalise these kinds of conversations. While we are two guys who have no idea what it is like to go for these screenings, we hope that the conversations we have in the videos help others have the same with their partners, mums, daughters, parents. It’s always special for us coming back to the area especially for this cause.”
A local resident said while watching the campaign film: “It’s brilliant that Will and Ralf are involved and were asking all the questions people are thinking. I hope this encourages more women to talk to their partners about this.”
Eluned Hughes, Campaign Manager for CMCA, said: "Every day an average of 27 conversations happen, and the aim of this campaign is to make cancer screenings one of them and help to raise awareness and knowledge of early detection and screenings for breast cancer, bowel cancer and cervical cancer within the borough of Halton.
"This campaign will help to normalise and encourage conversations around cancer screenings in everyday settings – from the pub, café, to the sofa or park with friends and family. The more people that know about what screenings they are eligible for the more prepared they can be for when they hit the age bracket as well as being able to encourage their friends and family to attend. As sometimes it takes a gentle nudge from a loved one to get checked.
"In recent years the screening age for breast and bowel cancer have dropped, this year the bowel screening age has been lowered from 55 to between the ages of 50 – 74. This is why it is so important to raise awareness and start having more open conversations around cancer screenings with loved ones so that when changes like this take place they know what to expect.
"Having a campaign like this in Halton is so important, because as a borough people within the age brackets statistically have one of the lowest screening uptake rates in the North West. In recent years, NHS surveys have revealed that of those eligible in Halton only 53.9% of people went for a breast cancer screening, and only 58% of those entitled to a bowel screening kit have done one. So as the ages lower for screenings and with a level of digital deprivation in the area it is important to reach local residents to raise awareness on such an important matter."
The campaign has now launched to local community groups, residents and businesses with over 25 organisations supporting the campaign by becoming campaign ambassadors. This is to help encourage and open up cancer screening conversations, normalising the topic and aim to help break down the barriers of going for a cancer screening. The campaign will be shown across social media, across businesses, community venues and local out of home media throughout the borough to get local residents to start the chat.
Jon Hayes, Managing Director of CMCA, said “Attending cancer screening when you are invited is one of the best things you can do to protect your heath. It is vital that more people come forward for them. This campaign is encouraging conversations about screening with a down-to-earth and accessible approach which we know resonates with many people. We are extremely grateful to Will, Ralph and Susan for supporting it and bringing some laughs as well as spreading this important message.”
To see the campaign film visit https://youtu.be/G7OfpA0rUDk
or more information on the campaign visit https://cmcanceralliance.nhs.uk/two-minutes