Morrisons and NHS England have partnered to place cancer-awareness messages on the supermarket’s own-brand bath and shower products, encouraging shoppers to ‘be body aware’ and to contact their GP if they notice anything unusual.
A nine-item range of bath soaks and shower gels will carry simple prompts such as ‘Be body aware’ and ‘Know the signs of cancer’, aimed at turning a daily routine into a prompt to check for lumps, swelling, skin changes or unexplained bruising. The products will appear in about 450 Morrisons stores and online from May.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Cancer, said the campaign is designed to help people recognise what is normal for their bodies and to seek medical advice when something feels wrong. He reminded people that while most findings will not be cancer, early detection can make a big difference.
Two cancer survivors featured in the campaign shared their experiences to underline the importance of acting on changes. Ed, who was 27, first noticed a dull ache in his right testicle in summer 2024. After the pain intensified, he returned for tests and was diagnosed with testicular cancer following blood tests and an ultrasound. He had surgery and a short course of chemotherapy and was told he was cancer free within three months. Ed now works with men’s health charity Movember to encourage others to get checked and says having reminders on everyday items like shower gels helps people check themselves in private without embarrassment.
Stacey first noticed a lump in her armpit in 2019 but thought she was too young to worry. Prompted by a Morrisons colleague, she contacted her GP in February 2020 and was later diagnosed with breast cancer. She began chemotherapy within six weeks, followed by a lumpectomy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy, and was cancer free by December 2020. Stacey says regular self-checks helped her become familiar with her body and that noticing any change early can make treatment more effective.
The new messaging will appear across Morrisons own-brand items including Muscle Soothe Sea Minerals and Sage Extracts Bath Soak, Tingly Mint Shower Gel and Lavender and Water Lily Herbal Bath.
Symptoms people might spot while washing include:
– A lump or swelling anywhere on the body
– Skin changes
– Unexplained pain, aches or bruising
Other warning signs to watch for include persistent heartburn, ongoing indigestion or bloating, changes in bowel or bladder habits, unexplained bleeding (from the bottom, in poo, in wee, after the menopause or after sex), heavy night sweating, unusual tiredness, and a hoarse or croaky voice or a cough that does not improve.
Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson said spotting cancer early can save lives and praised the partnership for making potentially life-saving advice part of people’s everyday routines. David Scott, Corporate Affairs Director at Morrisons, said the retailer was proud to work with the NHS again to raise awareness and encourage customers to contact their GP if something does not feel right.
This rollout follows Morrisons’ 2023 collaboration with the NHS that featured breast and testicular cancer advice on Nutmeg branded underwear. If you notice a change that concerns you, contact your GP practice for assessment—early checks can lead to earlier treatment and better outcomes.
