Morrisons has announced it is making a major change that shoppers will notice in one aisle in stores and online. The ‘first-of-its-kind’ update affects multiple products and has been backed by the NHS.
Shoppers browsing Morrisons‘ own-brand bath and shower products will notice a slight change to their packaging. The supermarket has teamed up with the health service to put cancer advice on various items, in a bid to encourage customers to look out for lumps, swelling, skin changes and unexplained bruising.
The range of nine new shower and bath products will carry messages including “be body aware” and “know the signs of cancer“. It is hoped that the messages will encourage people to learn what is normal for their body and to contact their GP practice if something doesn’t feel right. You can find out more about cancer and its symptoms on the NHS website.
The products will start appearing in around 450 Morrisons stores and online this month. Professor Peter Johnson, National Clinical Director for Cancer at NHS England, said: “If you notice a lump, swelling, skin change or anything else that doesn’t look or feel right while you’re in the bath or shower, please contact your GP practice.
“This campaign is about turning an everyday routine into a simple health check reminder – helping people know their bodies better and spot possible signs of cancer earlier. In most cases it won’t be cancer, but if it is, finding it early can make all the difference.”
View 3 ImagesThe change is part of a supermarket‑first initiative aimed at encouraging shoppers to be body aware
Morrisons is the first supermarket to roll out cancer awareness messages on bath and shower products as part of an NHS drive to help more people spot possible symptoms earlier and come forward for checks. The new messaging will appear across Morrisons’ own-brand range, including Muscle Soothe Sea Minerals, Sage Extracts Bath Soak, Tingly Mint Shower Gel, and Lavender and Water Lily Herbal Bath.
Symptoms that might be spotted while washing include a lump or swelling anywhere on your body, skin changes, unexplained pain, aches or bruising. Other symptoms people should be aware of include persistent heartburn, indigestion or bloating, changes in bowel or bladder habits, bleeding from your bottom, in your stools, in your wee, after the menopause or after sex.
Other symptoms include sweating a lot at night, feeling more tired than usual, or a croaky voice, hoarseness, or a cough that does not get better or gets worse. The NHS says if something in your body doesn’t feel right, and you are worried it could be cancer, contact your GP practice.
View 3 ImagesSeveral bath and shower products will feature NHS cancer awareness messaging on the packaging
Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson said: “Spotting cancer early can save lives, and this partnership is a simple but powerful way to encourage people to be more aware of their bodies. By placing these reminders on everyday products used by millions of people, the NHS and Morrisons are helping to make potentially life-saving advice part of people’s daily routines.
“This is a great example of getting business and the NHS working hand in hand to build a healthy Britain where everyone lives well for longer. If you notice something unusual or that doesn’t feel right, please contact your GP practice.”
David Scott, Corporate Affairs Director at Morrisons, said: “We are proud to be partnering with the NHS again to raise awareness of the symptoms of cancer through the new body awareness messages on our own brand bath and shower products. The messaging highlights the importance of spotting the symptoms early and encouraging people to reach out to their GP if something does not feel right, both of which can lead to earlier treatment and ultimately save lives.
“It is a vital message, and we believe in the importance of helping the NHS reach as many customers as possible to encourage them to get checked and be body aware.”
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The partnership follows the successful first-of-its-kind campaign in 2023. During the time, Morrisons worked with the NHS to feature breast and testicular cancer advice on Nutmeg-branded underwear, urging shoppers to contact their GP practice if they spotted potential symptoms.