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Cancer Alliance

Dec 06

Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2021

By Involvement Opportunities, Personalised Care

NHS England and Improvement has launched its 2021 national Cancer Patient Experience Survey (CPES).

The survey asks for feedback from patients, aged 16 and over*, who were treated for cancer as an inpatient or day case, and left hospital in April, May or June 2021, to take part.

Patient feedback is crucial in helping organisations that commission and provide cancer services across Humber, Coast and Vale understand what is working well and identify areas for improvement.

The results from CPES will help to improve local cancer services by enabling Humber, Coast and Vale Cancer Alliance to identify local priorities and work with patients and partners to deliver change.

This year the Cancer Patient Experience Survey (CPES) questionnaire has been redesigned, guided by the CPES Advisory Group, to reflect developments in cancer care and treatment, and national policy. The results of the survey will be available in Summer 2022.

For more information on the survey and how to access help and support in completing it, please visit www.ncpes.co.uk

*A new survey has been launched for those aged 16 and under, www.under16cancerexperiencesurvey.co.uk.

Image shows a NHS staff member operating a CT scanner. There is a patient lying on the scanner. Text on the image reads 'Cancer Patient Experience Survey. Help us to make meaningful change in cancer services.
Dec 01
Image of a large mobile unit which is parked in a car park. A man is walking down some steps away from the unit.

Thousands of people set to benefit as NHS lung health checks confirmed for North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire

By Awareness and Early Diagnosis

Past and current smokers in North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire will be invited to a NHS lung health check service in a drive to improve earlier diagnosis of lung cancer and save more lives.

NHS England and NHS Improvement has confirmed that North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire will be two of 43 places across the country to run the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check programme.

The initiative means approximately 45,000 past and current smokers, aged 55 to less than 75, in North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire will be invited to a lung health check by their GP. This will identify an estimated 440 cases of lung cancer earlier than otherwise would have been. It is expected to start in North East Lincolnshire in February 2023.

Those invited will have an initial phone assessment with a specially trained health care professional. If the assessment finds the person to be at high risk, they will be offered a low dose CT scan of the lungs for further investigation.

Image of a patient receiving a CT scan as part of a lung health check. The radiographer is wearing a face visor, apron and gloves.

The scanner will be housed in a mobile unit and taken to convenient locations, such as supermarket or sport venue car parks, across North and North East Lincolnshire. Stop smoking advice will also be offered to support current smokers wanting to quit.

Image of a large mobile unit which is parked in a car park. A man is walking down some steps away from the unit.

Lung health check mobile units will be placed in convenient locations

Lung cancer can often be caught too late as there are rarely symptoms at the earlier stages. The programme is designed to check those most at risk of developing lung cancer in order to spot signs earlier, at the stage when it’s much more treatable, ultimately saving more lives.

In January 2020, Hull became one of 10 initial lung health check pilot sites and has since welcomed over 5,000 participants to the service, with more than 2,500 of those receiving a CT scan. The service has helped to identify cancer at an early stage and provided opportunities for earlier treatment, which is helping to save people’s lives.

Dr Satpal Shekhawat, Medical Director at NHS North Lincolnshire CCG, said:

“Unfortunately, due to there being few to no symptoms at an early stage, lung cancer is regularly diagnosed late and currently causes more deaths than any other cancer within North and North East Lincolnshire, but if caught early, it’s much more treatable and the survival rate is much higher.

“Being able to offer lung health checks to those at higher risk of lung cancer, will provide an opportunity for more and earlier interventions, including curative surgery. The service will also help to improve our populations health by offering free stop smoking advice and support to current smokers.”

Dr Stuart Baugh, Clinical Director at Humber, Coast and Vale Cancer Alliance, said:

“Humber, Coast and Vale Cancer Alliance is pleased to have secured funding for the further roll out of Targeted Lung Health Checks across our region.

“The extension of lung health checks will play a key part in helping to deliver the NHS Long Term Plan ambition of diagnosing three out of four people with cancer at an early stage by 2028.

“We have already seen the positive impacts this service has for patients, since the first pilot site was launched in Hull in January 2020, and we look forward to working with our partners to extend the reach of this service in other parts of our region.”

For more information on the Targeted Lung Health Check programme please visit www.lunghealthcheck.org.uk

Image of Dr Stuart Baugh standing in front of a brick wall. Stuart is wearing a suit and is looking at the camera smiling.

Dr Stuart Baugh, Clinical Director for Humber, Coast and Vale Cancer Alliance

Nov 18
An older woman holding a book, She is sitting on a sofa, wearing a yellow long-sleeved t shirt while looking into the camera. The image is used to represent a cancer patient who has completed the Cancer Quality of Life Survey.

First set of results released for national Cancer Quality of Life Survey

By Personalised Care

The first set of results for the NHS England and NHS Improvement and NHS Digital Cancer Quality of Life Survey have been released via an online dashboard.

The results show that quality of life for people affected by cancer in Humber, Coast and Vale was higher than for those with a cancer diagnosis living in the rest of England.

A graph showing the difference in overall health between cancer patients and the general population. Cancer patients scored 75.2/100, whereas the general population scored 81.8

Respondents 18 months post-cancer diagnosis rated their quality of life below the general population.

As well as measuring quality of life, the survey asks a series of questions to determine an overall health score. While quality of life was rated highly, overall health for those 18 months post-cancer diagnosis was lower than for the general population. Overall health was also slightly lower for the cancer population in HCV than for those with a cancer diagnosis living in the rest of England.

The survey, which aims to find out how quality of life may have changed for different groups of people diagnosed with cancer, helps to identify where care is working well or not so well, and whether any new services are required.

From 2020, people around 18 months past a breast, prostate, or colorectal (bowel) cancer diagnosis were asked to complete the survey. Those 18 months past any other type of cancer diagnosis began being asked in July 2021.

2,216 patients in Humber, Coast and Vale (HCV) were sent the survey. Of this sample, 1,241 people responded, achieving a 56% response rate from September 2020 to July 2021. The results are based on this time period.

Overall, feedback demonstrated a large amount of variation in cancer quality of life, and this was dependent on factors such as cancer type, age at diagnosis, and location.

Information from the survey, which will be updated on the dashboard approximately every six months, is one of a range of resources that will be used to work out where changes should be made to care, with the goal of improving services and quality of life for people diagnosed with cancer.

For a more in-depth look, the results dashboard for The Cancer Quality of Life Survey can be found at www.cancerdata.nhs.uk/cancerqol.

Oct 07
Headshot of Graham, a Lung Health Check participant. He's wearing a white t shirt and glasses.

Lung Health Checks: Graham’s story

By Awareness and Early Diagnosis

“I first became aware of the Lung Health Check service in March 2020, when me and my wife were invited to attend an appointment at Lidl car park. I wasn’t worried about my health at the time but there was a history of lung cancer in my family, so I thought there’s no harm in getting checked.

“The appointment was booked for the 30th of March, but like a lot of things impacted by Covid-19 I got a phone call to say it would need to be postponed because of lockdown. As soon as the service restarted, we were booked in to speak with someone who asked a few questions about our family and smoking history.

Headshot of Graham, a Lung Health Check participant. He's wearing a white t shirt and glasses.

Graham was surprised at the impact the appointment has had on his life.

“This time we were given an appointment to have a CT scan in Castle Hill Hospital car park. It was easy to attend because a free parking space had been reserved for us and being able to book a similar appointment time as my wife was also a big help. The staff onboard the unit talked us through what to expect and we both had a scan, which was quick and painless. I never thought that appointment would have such a big impact on my life, but a week later I was sat in front of a consultant being told they had found something on my lung. We started to discuss treatment options and I was given the name of a Macmillan nurse who would later be in touch.

“Was I worried? Yes. Did I wish I hadn’t of known? No. I felt incredibly lucky to be receiving help and with the support of my family and friends, I made the decision to have part of my left lung removed. The operation took place in June 2021, and I have since received confirmation that it was cancer.

“The last few months have been a lot to take in and although I’m pleased not to need chemotherapy or radiotherapy, I’m still receiving ongoing care and help with my breathing. I also have weekly calls with the SmokeFree team, who have helped me stop vaping, and the Macmillan nurse has provided fantastic support throughout.

“Although my wife and her two brothers, who also took part in the lung health check service, have had very different experiences to me, I truly believe they are all equally as positive. My wife is now receiving support for slight COPD and her brothers were quickly reassured that their lungs are healthy.

“My friend has recently been invited to take part in a lung health check and I’m now urging him and others to go. He said he’s really sorry for what I’ve been through and is scared about what the service might find, but I’ve told him not to be sorry or scared. That lung health check saved my life.”

Oct 07
Headshot of Catherine, a lung health check participant. She has long black hair and is smiling.

Lung Health Checks: Catherine’s story

By Awareness and Early Diagnosis

As a Hull resident, who is aged 58 and a current smoker, Catherine was invited to attend a lung health check in July 2021. Here Catherine tells us what happened next and why she is now encouraging others to take part.

Headshot of Catherine, a lung health check participant. She has long black hair and is smiling.

Catherine has cut down on smoking since her appointment.

“After speaking with a lung health check nurse on the phone, I was invited to Castle Hill hospital for a CT scan. The scanner was on board a mobile unit in the hospital car park and although going through the tunnel was a bit scary, the staff were really friendly, and it was fine.

“Two weeks after attending Castle Hill Hospital, I was diagnosed with emphysema. I felt surprised and gutted. I’ve been a smoker for 45 years and although my GP had previously advised me to stop, being told I had emphysema hit me for six. I knew I needed to make a change and thought of my daughter and granddaughter.”

“This wasn’t my first attempt at stopping smoking. I had managed to cut down to five cigarettes a day before covid, but I struggled to smoke less during the pandemic and decided to take up the offer of help from SmokeFree Hull.

“They’ve been a great support so far and I receive weekly phone calls to check how I’m getting on. Being able to trial the use of patches and vapes has helped me to cut down and in the last two weeks, I’ve only smoked six cigarettes.

“It hasn’t been easy but I’m already starting to notice some small differences. When I bike to work, the Anlaby Road flyover feels like less of a hill to climb and I’ve been able to do some extra exercise on the rowing machine at home.

“It’s been just over a month since my lung health check and finding out I have emphysema has been really hard, especially as my partner lost someone to this previously. For that reason, I feel extremely lucky to have caught it early and to be getting help and support from my family and the NHS.

“Having that check has made a big difference to my life and I’ve already encouraged my friend to take up her appointment.”

To read the experiences of other patients of the lung health check programme, please click here.

Oct 06
Image of CT scanner with someone sat looking at the screens in the booth

New diagnostics capacity to boost access to care in Humber, Coast and Vale

By Cancer Diagnosis and Innovations

People living in Humber, Coast and Vale are set to benefit from earlier diagnostic tests, provided closer to home thanks to investment in new mobile MRI and CT scanning facilities.

The Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership (Integrated Care System) has secured an £8.6million share of a £350million national pot, announced by the Government last week (1 October), that will support development of new models of Community Diagnostic Provision. This additional mobile capacity will contribute towards the national combined 2.8 million scans in their first full year of operation.

The HCV Partnership (ICS) is adopting an innovative and collaborative approach to developing and delivering diagnostic services, including the purchase of a mobile MRI and a mobile CT scanner to improve access and reduce waiting times for patients. Over time the mobile service will be deployed flexibly across the region with potential to deliver an additional 500 CT and 500 MRI scans per month.

Photo of Dr Wells stood in front of a brick wall wearing a black suit, white shit and blue tie. Dr Wells is looking at the camera, smiling.

The investment will help to reduce waiting times, improve patient experience and access to diagnostic services, and support the implementation of better pathways of care in key clinical areas including cancer, cardiac and respiratory care.

Dr Nigel Wells, a GP and HCV Partnership (ICS) Clinical Lead, said:

“Our local teams have already made great progress in ramping-up scans and tests back up to pre-pandemic levels. This new investment will help us go even further, whilst also providing a more convenient model of service delivery for patients.”

The increase in scanning capability will help to achieve:

  • earlier diagnoses for patients through easier, faster, and more direct access to the MRI and CT scans needed to understand patients’ symptoms and direct them to the right care as soon as possible
  • a reduction in hospital visits which will help to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission
  • a contribution to the NHS’ net zero ambitions by providing multiple tests at one visit, reducing the number of patient journeys and helping to cut carbon emissions and air pollution.

GPs will be able to refer patients to more locally based services so they can access life-saving checks closer to home and be diagnosed for a range of conditions, rather than travelling to hospital. This will be more convenient for patients, more efficient and more resilient to the risk of cancelled tests in hospitals due to Covid-19.

Sep 28

YOU CANcervive – Let’s Talk Cancer

By Personalised Care

A new podcast hosted by people affected cancer has launched in Yorkshire. YOU CANcervive – Let’s Talk Cancer aims to encourage more open conversation to raise awareness of common signs and symptoms and how people can reduce their risk.

Created by two people directly affected by cancer, Arzoo Dar from Dewsbury who experienced bone cancer as a child and Rob Husband from Huddersfield, who was treated for head and neck cancer and whose story features in the first episode of YOU CANcervive.

The episodes are suitable for everyone, not just those who have experienced cancer themselves, but also anyone affected by cancer in their lifetime.

The podcasts aim to help make cancer an everyday conversation and get people talking. Sharing signs and symptoms to look out for, what to do if you’re worried, how to lower your chances of developing the disease, and busting some of those myths that for so long have surrounded cancer, its impact and treatment.

Click here to start listening.

Sep 22
survey image with a person in a lab coat looking at test tubes

NHS launches new national COVID Cancer Antibody Survey

By Involvement Opportunities

The NHS has launched a national COVID Cancer Antibody Survey to assess antibody responses to the COVID-19 vaccines among cancer patients

People aged 18 or over, who are living in England and have either been diagnosed with cancer in the last year or are currently receiving cancer treatment, are being asked to sign up to the survey at www.covidcancersurvey.uk. Registered participants will be sent a finger-prick blood test that looks for antibodies against COVID-19 in the blood.

Vaccination is an important strategy to protect society from the effects of COVID-19, but there is emerging evidence that a small number of cancer patients may have lower levels of antibody response than the general population. The NHS don’t yet fully understand what lower levels of antibodies mean in terms of outcomes, but it may mean some people with cancer are not as protected from COVID-19.

By signing up for this survey, registered participants can help the NHS to develop their understanding of what antibody levels mean for people with cancer and help to provide the best treatment, care and support for patients, as well as finding out about the participants own antibody levels.

Participants will be asked to fill in a short form before being automatically redirected through to the NHS Test & Trace antibody test booking page where they’ll be able to book your free test. There are 10,000 places on this survey and the NHS expects to be recruiting participants for the next two to three months. To sign up to the survey, please visit https://covidcancersurvey.uk/.

Image shows a man in a blue and white checked shirt looking down at a paper. The NHS logo is in the top right hand corner and there is text on the image that says 'the national covid cancer antibody survey' http://covidcancersurvey.uk

Please note: The NHS are aware that, once a registration has been completed, participants will be directed onto the gov.uk antibody test booking service and one of the questions on that website asks to confirm a participants current employment status. Please ignore the text underneath this question, which asks participants not to continue if not working – people do qualify for an antibody test, regardless of their employment status. Simply answer this question and click ‘continue’ to book your test. The NHS are assured that the website is being updated imminently, when this message will be removed.

For more information, please use the ‘contact us’ section of the survey website: https://covidcancersurvey.uk/contact/

Sep 07
Picture shows a group of people sat round tables holding red flags.

Cancer ‘Red Flag’ roadshows for people with Learning Disabilities

By Awareness and Early Diagnosis

Over the next few months, People First Merseyside will be delivering peer led training for people with learning disabilities (and their families and carers) across the Humber, Coast and Vale region. The free training sessions, which have been co-produced by people with Learning Disabilities, are designed to raise awareness of how to have good lung health and teach the signs and symptoms of cancer within a fun and interactive environment.

Scarborough
Monday 13th September, 1pm – 3pm at Community Centre (The Street), 12 Lower Clark Street, Scarborough, YO12 7PW

Selby
Friday 17th September 2021, 1.30pm – 3.30pm Portholme Church, Portholme Road, Selby, YO8 4QH

Harrogate
Thursday 16th September 2021, 1pm—3pm at Follifoot Village Hall, Tofts Lane, Harrogate, HG3 1DY

York
Friday 17th September 2021 9.30am — 11.30am Priory Street Centre, Main Hall, 15 Priory Street, York YO1 6ET

Richmond / Northallerton
Tuesday 14th September, 9.30am -11.30am at Northallerton Town Hall, High Street, Northallerton, DL7 8QR

To book your place, please contact 07864968132 / [email protected]

Thirsk
Tuesday 14th September, 1pm – 3pm at Wellburn Village Hall, Church Lane, Wellburn, YO60 7EG

To book your place, please contact Julie Butterworth: 07427 991 920 / [email protected]

Hull
Wednesday 3rd November, 1pm – 3pm
 Thursday 4th November 2021, 10am – 12pm / 1pm – 3pm
CASE Training, 60 Charles Street, Hull, HU2 8DQ

To book your place, please contact Mark Cooke: 01482 320 200 / [email protected]

Picture shows a group of people sat round tables holding red flags.
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