THE mother of a 21-year-old who died from cancer wants to stop other people in the city from going through the same ordeal.
Carol Howard's son, Ben, inset, died in December 2007 after a short battle with cancer of the intestine.
And figures released in yesterday's report show that circulatory disease, cancer and respiratory disease account for 75 per cent of deaths in the city.
Since the death of the warehouse worker, Carol, pictured right, has raised in excess of �70,000 to help people with cancer.
The 51-year-old wants to see people eating less hydrogenated fat, doing more exercise and getting more sleep.
She said: "We've done a lot of research since Ben was ill so the more I can help the people in the area, the happier I am.
"When reading the cancer fighting strategy, it said there were three main things that increased the chances of getting cancer.
"One was an overexposure to artificial light at night time, which would affect warehouse workers. The second was a lack of sleep and the third was eating too many refined foods."
She launched the Ben Howard appeal after his death to raise money to help others get the treatment needed to overcome cancer.
She raised �30,000 through fund-raising events and in August 2009 opened the Ben Howard Charity Warehouse, off Davenport Street, in Middleport.
The warehouse, believed to be the largest charity shop in Stoke-on-Trent sells items such as shoes, books, furniture, ornaments and televisions, and operates at a profit of around �500 every week. It has so far raised more than �40,000.
Carol aims to launch healthy eating and anti-cancer workshops in the city.
She said: "Today there are students who eat this type of pasta where you just add milk and microwave it – it's full of hydrogenated fats.
"Ben had only left home in May and he was at that age where he was burning the candle at both ends and would eat burgers and pizzas."
The dance instructor from Trent Vale thinks the nature of today's society has an impact on people's health.
"There are so many people in sedentary jobs and a lot of people work long hours so they don't have the time to exercise.
"When Ben was being treated, his doctor said there was an epidemic in young people getting cancer."
To donate items for to the warehouse, call 01782 499154.
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