Supermarket Tesco & Cancer Research aim to spot Cancer Early

According to Cancer Research, almost half of people experiencing possible symptoms of cancer don’t contact their doctor within six months. Now, food retail giant Tesco has teamed up with Cancer Research, to help catch cancer early, a disease that one in five of us will have at some point in our lives.

Cancer Research has provided Tesco pharmacists with specialist training in how to engage with the public about the possible symptoms of cancer and how important an early diagnosis is. 

Together, Tesco and Cancer Research can help customers catch cancer early

Tesco operates supermarkets, convenience stores and online platforms across Europe, offering groceries, general merchandise and financial services through Tesco Bank. Tesco is the UK's largest retailer and collaborates with Booker Group, a food wholesaler, to strengthen its supply chain. The company was also the first supermarket to introduce a loyalty card programme in the UK, launching the Clubcard in 1995, which revolutionised customer engagement and data collection.

We included Tesco in our Top 10: Largest Supermarket Chains.

Now, shoppers who are experiencing unusual symptoms are invited to get expert healthcare advice, while they do their weekly Tesco food shop. In order for the public to get more information about their health and possible cancer symptoms, there is no need to book a doctor’s appointment, as shoppers can speak to an expert before they get their groceries. However, if the symptoms are considered serious enough, they will be encouraged to book in a formal slot with their doctor.

Yet, other food retailers have tried hosting in-store clinics, with disappointing results. In 2019, Walmart opened Walmart Health, but decided to close its 51 in-store full-service health-care centres, in April 2024. Walgreens also closed 160 of its VillageMD locations, after a US$6bn write-down in the value of its investment in the primary care clinic chain.

Tesco hopes cancer campaign to will lead to a quicker diagnosis 

Tesco’s health campaign will include various resources and prompts to encourage shoppers to think about their symptoms and explore them with an in-store pharmacist. 

Customers can choose to have a private chat in a consultation room with a pharmacist or they can book an appointment, as they would for their doctor.

“Many of us will put off seeking advice on something that’s worrying us because we’re too busy, can’t get a GP appointment at a convenient time or simply don’t want to be seen as someone who makes a fuss,” shared Paul Pilkington, Head of Pharmacy at Tesco. “Being able to have a conversation with one of our pharmacists about a worrying symptom could help lead to a much quicker cancer diagnosis and the likelihood of a successful outcome.” 

Tesco wants to improve the nation’s health and with its partnerships with three charities, the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and Diabetes UK, Tesco hopes to tackle three conditions: 

• Heart disease: Heart Disease and Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) represent 32% of all global deaths.
• Cancer: One in five people develop cancer in their lifetime
• Type 2 diabetes: 95% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

“By 2040 there will be over half a million new cancer cases each year in the UK alone,” shared Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s Chief Executive. “The earlier people are diagnosed, the better their chance of survival. That’s why it’s so important that we’re joining forces with Tesco to make it easier for people to get help if they notice something that is unusual for them. Tesco pharmacists are here to provide expert health information and support in a comfortable and convenient setting for customers. We are excited by the opportunity this gives to speed up diagnosis and save lives."  

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