A MOBILE campaign is under way in east Durham to raise awareness about cancer.

A "blitz bus" will tour the Easington area for three months as part of a number of health awareness and advice days.

Its next stop is at Seaham Library, in St John's Square, Seaham, between 10am and 2pm tomorrow.

The idea is to raise awareness of the various types of cancer, including lung, bowel and breast cancer, and show people that early detection means treatment is more likely to be effective.

Talking about Cancer is being organised by County Durham and Darlington Primary Care Trust (PCTs) and will take place during from now until October.

The public health team will offer information and advice about any issues people have, as well as practical support to help improve their health.

Sharon Smith, health development specialist in cancer prevention, said: "Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the country. We must ensure people are aware of the symptoms and know to seek professional help at the earliest opportunity.

"Survival rates of lung disease are vastly improved if the condition is caught early."

In most people, lung cancer is related to cigarette smoking. Although some people who get lung cancer have never smoked, nine out of ten cases of the disease are caused by smoking.

In Easington, between 2002 and 2004, 133 men and 103 women died from lung cancer.

Residents will have the opportunity to go on the bus to choose from a range of information leaflets, and speak to staff and volunteers.

Another aim of the initiative is to make people aware of the symptoms of lung cancer and to encourage them to seek the advice of a GP without delay if they detect any of the signs.

Advice will be available on the benefits of stopping smoking, and on the PCT's smoking cessation service, which is available for anyone throughout the district of Easington.

Ms Smith said: "We hope by touring with the bus that we can reach as many people as possible. We will be giving out information not only on lung cancer, but also on skin cancer, breast cancer and bowel cancer, and, by getting our message across, we can hopefully look forward to a healthier future."

For more information, call the PCT on 0191-333-3232.