Morrisons has teamed up with the NHS to add simple cancer-awareness messages to its own-brand bath and shower range, encouraging people to “be body aware” and to know the signs of cancer. Nine products will carry the reminders, which are designed to prompt people to check anything that feels unusual and to contact their GP if they’re worried. The items will appear in about 450 Morrisons stores and online from May.
NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Cancer, Professor Peter Johnson, says the idea is to use an everyday routine as a prompt for a quick health check. If people notice lumps, swelling, changes to the skin or unexplained bruising while washing, they should contact their GP practice. Although most changes won’t be cancer, finding one early can make a major difference to treatment and outcomes.
The initiative is the first time a supermarket has put cancer-awareness messaging on bath and shower products as part of an NHS campaign to help people spot possible symptoms earlier and come forward for checks.
Two survivors involved in the campaign share why early checks mattered to them. Ed was 27 when he first felt a dull ache in his right testicle in 2024. After the pain worsened, tests including a blood test and ultrasound confirmed testicular cancer. Following surgery and a short course of chemotherapy he was clear within three months. Ed now works with Movember to encourage men to check themselves and to see a GP without embarrassment if they find anything unusual.
Stacey first noticed a lump in her armpit in 2019 but thought she was too young to be at risk. A colleague urged her to get it checked and she visited her GP in early 2020. Further tests led to a breast cancer diagnosis; she began chemotherapy within six weeks, followed by surgery, radiotherapy and immunotherapy, and was cancer-free by the end of that year. Stacey stresses the importance of getting to know what’s normal for your body so you spot changes sooner.
The messages will appear across Morrisons own-brand items such as Muscle Soothe Sea Minerals and Sage Extracts Bath Soak, Tingly Mint Shower Gel and Lavender and Water Lily Herbal Bath, among others.
Symptoms people might notice while washing include a lump or swelling anywhere on the body, changes in the skin, unexplained pain, aches or bruising. Other warning signs to look out for are persistent heartburn, indigestion or bloating; changes to bowel or bladder habits; unexplained bleeding (from the bottom, in poo, in urine, after the menopause or after sex); night sweats; unusual tiredness; and a persistent or worsening cough, hoarseness or croaky voice.
Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson says spotting cancer early can save lives and that putting reminders on everyday products helps make potentially life-saving advice part of people’s routines. David Scott, Corporate Affairs Director at Morrisons, says the supermarket is proud to support the NHS by raising awareness of symptoms and encouraging customers to contact their GP if something doesn’t feel right.
This work follows a 2023 collaboration in which Morrisons placed breast and testicular cancer advice on Nutmeg underwear, another first-of-its-kind partnership with the NHS. If you notice something unusual or that doesn’t feel right, contact your GP practice.
