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Cancer Alliance

Apr 09

Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance launches the Cancer Innovation Grants 2024/25

By Announcements, Cancer Diagnosis and Innovations

If you have an innovative project that promotes early cancer diagnosis, treatment, recovery and/or patient experience in the Humber and North Yorkshire area, the Cancer Alliance could help you with the funding.

The Cancer Alliance, in collaboration with Health Innovation Network Yorkshire & Humber and the Innovation Research and Improvement System, is proud to announce the launch of the Cancer Innovation Grants 2024/25.

“This is an excellent opportunity to develop our local culture of innovation through adopting and developing new ideas, which have a positive impact on patient experience and outcomes and the local cancer system,” said Kartikae Grover, Clinical Director, Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance.

The Cancer Innovation Grants form part of the Cancer Alliance’s aim to build a culture of cutting-edge cancer innovations, in line with the NHS Long Term Plan.

From small, grass-roots projects, to larger-scale innovation schemes, the Cancer Alliance is encouraging the development or adoption of innovative approaches to cancer that target local priorities for improvement, with a focus on (but not exclusive to) tumour sites with the highest volume of late stage diagnosis:

  • Oesophageal
  • Lung
  • Pancreatic
  • Colon
  • Rectum
  • Non-hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Prostate

Who can apply for a Cancer Innovation Grant? 

The Cancer Alliance welcomes applications from:

  • Primary and secondary care organisations
  • Patients
  • Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs)
  • Wider system stakeholders – e.g. social care organisations

Collaboration is encouraged across organisations and sectors.

What kind of projects will the Cancer Alliance fund?

The Cancer Alliance is looking for newly identified innovations, as well as projects that adopt innovation ideas that have been proven a success elsewhere. Some examples include:

  • Adopting technology or a workforce to implement or embed new ways of reducing demand on diagnostic services
  • Developing patient education solutions, particularly those designed to address health inequalities
  • Initiatives to support increase in uptake of cancer screening programmes, with a focus on specific groups where screening uptake is low

What kind of projects will not receive funding?

Cancer Innovation Grants will not be awarded to support current standards and processes in cancer care – e.g. posts and activities that are part of core services and staffing, such as clinical nurse specialists.

The Cancer Alliance is not able to fund research or projects that require capital funding.

Grants timeline:

  • Applications Open – w/c 8 April 2024
  • Applications Close – 5pm, 31 May 2024.
  • Notification of Grant Award – 21 June 2024

What level of funding is available?

Individual grants will be funded to a maximum of £50,000 and applications to support community-based projects are also welcome at a minimum of £1,000.

How do I apply?

Find out more information on the Cancer Alliance website.

You can view and download the Cancer Innovation Grants Guidance and Application form or contact the Cancer Alliance Diagnostics and Innovation Team at [email protected].

Apr 01

“Take the two-minute test on the toilet and don’t flush away your chance of early detection.”

By Announcements, Awareness and Early Diagnosis

People aged between 60 and 74 are being urged to complete a home testing kit that can detect signs of bowel cancer, as part of Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance’s #flushawaybowelcancer campaign.

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and the Cancer Alliance is carrying out a wide range of activities to raise awareness of bowel cancer symptoms and encourage more people to complete the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) throughout the month.

Activities include:

  • Parkruns – members of the Cancer Alliance and partners wearing fancy dress, including fake bums, in York, Beverley, Hull and Cleethorpes
  • Cancer Champions – Bite-sized online bowel cancer awareness sessions
  • Community events – Awareness activity sessions at leisure centres, supermarkets and other community spaces
  • Teaming up with partners – Including Bowel Cancer UK’s Bowel Cancer Awareness Roadshow, visiting Hull 16-18 April, and events with Care Plus Group throughout Grimsby

Click here for information on all the activity near you.

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, killing more than 16,800 people every year. However, this type of cancer is curable, especially if diagnosed early, when you are up to nine times more likely to be successfully treated. Nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage. However, this drops significantly as the disease develops.

Andy, 68, raising awareness of the importance of early detection, after his FIT result detected abnormalities.

Screening is one of the best ways to detect bowel cancer early, and Andy Thompson, 68, from Anlaby, East Yorkshire, is keen to raise awareness of the importance of early detection, after his FIT result detected abnormalities which could have developed into cancer.

He said: “To anyone who receives a FIT in the post and is feeling squeamish, I would tell them about my experience compared with a relative of mine. The test isn’t as gruesome as some might think. It only takes a couple of minutes to complete. It probably takes longer to write out your details and return in the post.

“My result came back abnormal, so I had to have further investigations. Fortunately, all they found were polyps, which can become cancerous, so I had them all removed.

“We’re really lucky to get the FIT screening kit for free in the post. For a few minutes of unpleasantness, it can help you detect bowel cancer, or, in my case, help stop you getting it in the first place. Don’t flush away that chance, flush away bowel cancer instead!”

About five years previous, a close relative of Andy’s received a FIT in the post, put it away and forgot about it. A few months later, he was in a lot of pain, and showing symptoms of bowel cancer. Six to eight months after not doing the FIT, he was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer.

If you are sent a FIT kit, you can complete the test in your own bathroom, next time you poo. Simply follow the step-by-step instructions to:

  • collect one tiny sample of poo, using the plastic stick
  • pop it in the sample bottle
  • post it for free to be tested

The test works by checking for tiny traces of blood – not always visible to the naked eye. If something is found, you will be invited for further tests, usually at a hospital.

Dr Dan Cottingham, Cancer Research UK GP Lead for Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance, said: “Nine out of 10 new cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed in people over the age of 50, and the earlier it’s treated, the more likely you are to be treated successfully. That’s why it’s so important you don’t ignore the FIT kit when it arrives in the post.

“Don’t flush away that chance of early detection – it’s the most important job you can do for your loved ones.”

Early detection increases your chance of surviving bowel cancer, so knowing what symptoms to look out for is important.

Contact your GP if you have any of these bowel cancer symptoms:

  • changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation
  • needing to poo more or less often than usual
  • red or black blood in your poo
  • bleeding from your bottom
  • often feeling like you need to poo, even if you’ve just had one
  • tummy pain
  • a lump in your tummy
  • bloating
  • losing weight without trying
  • feeling very tired

Bowel cancer awareness will be spread across the Cancer Alliance’s social media channels too, using the hashtag #flushawaybowelcancer. Follow the Cancer Alliance on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) to help share their messages.

If you or a loved one needs information on, or support for bowel cancer, visit the Cancer Alliance website to be signposted to local bowel cancer support groups.

Visit the Cancer Alliance’s Bowel Cancer Awareness Month webpage to find out more.

Mar 21

Cancer Alliance stakeholder newsletter – March 2024

By Announcements

Click here to read the latest edition of Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance’s stakeholder newsletter.

This edition includes updates on:

  • KPOW! (Know the Power of Words) a Cancer Alliance-funded film
  • Cancer Champions training provided to asylum seekers
  • NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Withernsea unit visit from East Riding MP
  • The Cancer Alliance’s Health Inequalities Strategy
  • And much, much more!
Mar 06

Lung Health Checks: Brian’s story

By Awareness and Early Diagnosis, Lung Health Checks

Brian, a 68 year old ex-smoker from Immingham in North East Lincolnshire, was the very first person in the region to receive a low dose CT scan as part of his NHS Targeted Lung Health Check. Although he felt fine, the scan showed that Brian had health conditions he was unaware of. Now he is encouraging everyone who is invited for a lung health check, to book their initial telephone assessment.

Reflecting on his experience of a lung health check, Brain said: “I first received my letter at the start of the year which invited me to have a telephone call with a specially trained nurse. This took just over half an hour.

“I answered questions about my life, especially as I smoked 20 years ago, and I worked on a chemical plant for 30 years.”

Following the telephone assessment, Brian was booked in for an appointment for a low dose CT scan of his lungs.

After the scan, Brian was apprehensive whilst he waited two weeks for his results. Brian said: “I received the letter through the post and thankfully there were no signs of lung cancer, which was a relief. However, they had found mild coronary artery calcification and emphysema, which was good to know.

“Even though I feel well in myself, I was assured that I could contact my GP for any support, and I will be invited for a follow-up appointment in two years.”

Brian’s experience has inspired him to recommend other eligible people to have their lungs checked. Brian said: “Since going for my lung health check I have encouraged my friends and family to take up their appointments when they are invited. You can get help sooner if anything is found.”

Although Brian lived an active lifestyle, he knew it was important to take up the screening when invited. Brian commented: “I can cycle to Grimsby and back, but that didn’t deter me from getting scanned. I know if something is caught early, treatment is more likely to be successful. I’m so glad I had my lungs checked.

“The lung health check team were all so friendly and they explained everything to me and made the process as easy as possible.”

The NHS Targeted Lung Health Check service is a potentially life-saving programme that helps patients at highest risk of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases get an earlier diagnosis, often before there are any symptoms displayed.

Smokers and ex-smokers, between the ages of 55 and 74 and registered with a local GP will be eligible for a lung health check. The programme is inviting patients across Humber and North Yorkshire in a phased approach. To find out more about lung health checks, including whether you are eligible and if the service is available in your area, visit the lung health checks website.

If you are worried about any symptoms of lung cancer, such as experiencing a cough for three weeks or longer, please contact your GP.

Mar 06

Lung Health Checks: Jean’s story

By Awareness and Early Diagnosis, Lung Health Checks

Jean, a 65-year-old ex-smoker from Hull, is encouraging others to attend an NHS Lung Health Check if invited, after the service helped to identify some health issues and make positive changes to her lifestyle.

Jean said: “In October 2022, I was experiencing a nasty cough that I couldn’t get rid of so when a letter from my GP arrived inviting me for a free Lung Health Check, I decided to make an appointment.

“The Lung Health Check began with a telephone appointment with a nurse who asked me about my overall lung health, so I told her about my coughing fits. The fits were regular and often caused my eyes to stream, which I was very embarrassed about when at the shops and around other people. I just seemed to have no control over them.”

After the initial telephone assessment with a specialist nurse, Jean was invited for a low-dose CT scan on a unit located at Morrisons on Holderness Road, in east Hull.

Jean said: “As I had quit smoking a long time ago, I was surprised to find out that the scan had showed I have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema. It also identified I was prone to heart attacks and am at higher risk of strokes.

“At first I was shocked by the diagnosis I had received but it quickly prompted me to start making some lifestyle choices that would help prioritise my health.

“I started to look after myself more. I now eat healthier, go on bike rides and walk my dog as much as I can. My emphysema can often cause me to feel out of breath, but I take things steady when I need to and remain determined to be as healthy as I can. I used to work in care, and have seen patients struggle with similar illnesses, so I want to prevent that happening as much as possible.”

Since taking part in the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check programme, Jean has shared her experience with her friends and family and encourages anyone invited for a Lung Health Check to book their appointment.

She said: “Just book it and go, it is the best thing you can do, and it gives you peace of mind.

“All of the staff I have met through the Lung Health Check service have been extremely supportive and the information I have received about helping to manage my condition has been very helpful. I am grateful to the NHS for my ongoing support and I’m really glad I took up the offer of a Lung Health Check.”

To find out more about Lung Health Checks, including whether you are eligible and the service is available in your area, visit the Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance website.

If you are worried about symptoms of lung cancer, such as experiencing a cough for three weeks or longer, please contact your GP.

Jan 01

Take three simple steps to reduce your cervical cancer risk during January’s Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

By Announcements, Awareness and Early Diagnosis

Women and people with a cervix are being encouraged to take three easy steps to significantly reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer, as part of Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance’s #PreventCervicalCancer campaign.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and the Cancer Alliance is urging people to adopt a few simple measures to reduce their risk of cervical cancer – which kills around 853 people in the UK each year.

It is estimated that one in 142 females or people with a cervix will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in their lifetime. But with almost all (98.8%) cervical cancer cases being preventable, you can reduce your risk by following these steps.

  1. Attend your cervical screening appointment and get vaccinated against Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Cervical screening, also known as a smear test, is a test to prevent cancer. It looks for conditions that may lead to cervical cancer, which can be detected years before cancer develops.

Cervical screening and HPV vaccination are the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer.

The cervical screening appointment takes no more than 10 minutes and the test itself is over in a matter of minutes. All children aged 12 to 13 are offered the HPV vaccine, which helps to protect against all cancers caused by HPV.

Women and peopled with a cervix aged between 25 and 64 are invited for screening every three or five years (depending on your age) but one in three people invited to a cervical screening appointment do not take up the offer.

Cervical screening can sound daunting to some people but there really is no need to worry.

You can also visit the Let’s Talk Cervical Screening website from partners across Humber and North Yorkshire.

If you have reservations about taking up your cervical screening offer, watch this video from Meg Long, a 28-year-old mum of twins from Hull.

  1. Be clued up about cervical cancer

Early detection increases your chances of surviving cervical cancer so knowing what symptoms to look out for is important.

Symptoms of cervical cancer include:

  • Vaginal bleeding that’s unusual for you – including bleeding during or after sex, between your periods or after the menopause, or having heavier periods than usual
  • Changes to your vaginal discharge
  • Pain during sex
  • Pain in your lower back, between your hip bones (pelvis), or in your lower stomach.

The Cancer Alliance’s Cancer Champions programme is running bite-sized cervical cancer education sessions during January to raise about cervical cancer and the steps you can take to reduce your risk.

These 30-minute sessions are fun, interactive and equip attendees with vital information about cervical cancer prevention. Click on the link above to book your place on one of these sessions or to find out more.

  1. Spread the word about cervical cancer to raise awareness

The Cancer Alliance will be spreading the word about cervical cancer across many channels throughout January using the hashtag #PreventCervicalCancer, including its website, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) channels.

You can show your support for the campaign by sharing the Cancer Alliance’s posts on your social media channels.

Share the below video from York GP Dr Sam Plummer about what to expect at your cervical screening appointment, to encourage eligible people to book theirs.

Find out more about how you can support the Cancer Alliance’s #PreventCervicalCancer campaign by visiting our website: https://hnycanceralliance.org.uk/cervicalcancer.

Throughout January, Cancer Alliance colleagues and partners will be out in the community to spread awareness about cervical cancer symptoms and preventative measures.

We will be visiting supermarkets, leisure centres and other community spaces to have conversations with members of the public about cervical cancer, giving away leaflets, information cards and lots more in the process.

Dr Dan Cottingham, Cancer Research UK GP Lead for Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance, said: “Cervical cancer is the most preventable cancer so it is recommended that you attend your cervical screening appointment if you are invited – it takes just 10 minutes to complete and could end up saving your life.

“It is important to raise awareness about the symptoms of cervical cancer so it is really pleasing that the Cancer Alliance is offering these 30-minute, bitesize awareness sessions; and will also be out in the community to spread the word about cervical cancer prevention at supermarkets, leisure centres and other community spaces.

“We need the public’s support to ensure all women and people with a cervix are equipped with the knowledge to reduce their risk of developing so please spread the word across social media and other channels using the hashtag #PreventCervicalCancer.”

Visit the Cancer Alliance’s Cervical Cancer Awareness Month webpage to find out more.

Dec 15

Cancer Alliance stakeholder newsletter – December 2023

By Announcements

Click here to read the latest edition of Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance’s stakeholder newsletter.

This edition includes updates on:

  • Simon Morritt’s appointment as Chair
  • Lung Health Checks rollout in East Riding of Yorkshire
  • The Cancer Alliance’s new patient and public engagement strategy
  • Our Lung Cancer Awareness Month collaboration with Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and NHS England
  • Improving the experience of cancer patients with pre-existing mental health conditions
  • And much, much more!
Nov 23
Cervical screening

NHS campaign launched in light of the 120,000+ women and people with a cervix across region who are not up to date with their cervical screening

By Awareness and Early Diagnosis

The NHS, Roche Diagnostics UK and Ireland, and Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, together with local partners across North Lincolnshire have launched a public awareness campaign – Let’s Talk Cervical Screening – to educate women and people with a cervix in North Lincolnshire about HPV and cervical screening (also known as a ‘smear test’), as well as help alleviate any concerns when it comes to booking and attending an appointment.

“A high number of eligible women and people with a cervix across Yorkshire and the Humber have not had their latest cervical screening, and there is an urgent need to boost rates and help save lives,” said Jill Wass, Public Health Programme Manager, NHS England Yorkshire and The Humber.

“Through our campaign, we want to support individuals across the region who are missing their cervical screening, and we’re calling on all women and people with a cervix to consider getting screened.”

In Humber and North Yorkshire, latest NHS data shows that over 120,000 women and people with a cervix between the ages of 24-64 years, are not up to date with their cervical screening.  These figures are in line with the latest national figures from the Department of Health and Social Care which show nearly 30% of women and people with a cervix aged between 25 and 64 years are not up to date with their cervical screening.

Some of the most common barriers to cervical screening attendance include embarrassment and anxiety, with lack of understanding, concerns about pain, busy schedules, fear of results, and misconceptions about relevance additionally cited.

“There is a broad and complex range of reasons why women and people with a cervix do not attend their cervical screening,” said a spokesperson for Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust. “We want to break down some of those worries and nervous feelings by sharing first-hand experiences and honest insights from those who have been there before, and creating opportunities for open dialogue with a nurse professional.”

“We’re proud to be working alongside NHS England Yorkshire and The Humber and Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust to roll-out this important campaign in the North East,” said Dr. Ashton Harper, Head of Medical Affairs, Roche Diagnostics UK and Ireland. “Cervical screening can help prevent cancer before it starts, so I encourage anyone with concerns or unanswered questions to pick up a leaflet, make use of the available online resources, and take the potentially life-saving step of booking or attending your appointment.”

Nov 22

Simon Morritt appointed as new Chair of the Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance

By Announcements

Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance is pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Morritt as its new Chair.

Simon takes up the role immediately and will manage his Cancer Alliance responsibilities alongside his day-to-day duties as Chief Executive of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

He succeeds Stephen Eames CBE as Chair of the Cancer Alliance. Stephen has served as the Cancer Alliance’s Chair since the start of this year alongside his role as Chief Executive of the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.

As Chair, Simon will oversee the work of the Cancer Alliance and provide leadership on the key issues affecting cancer services in the Humber and North Yorkshire area. He will chair the Cancer Alliance’s monthly System Board meetings.

Chair of the Cancer Alliance, Simon Morritt

Simon has served as Chief Executive of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust since 2019. Prior to that, Simon was Chief Executive of Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Commenting on his appointment, Simon said: “I am pleased to join the Cancer Alliance as Chair. I am really looking forward to working with a wide variety of people across the Cancer Alliance to improve outcomes for cancer patients and their families.

“There’s plenty of work to do to address the issues affecting cancer services in our area and I’m looking forward to working in partnership to find innovative ways to overcome these issues.”

Lucy Turner, Managing Director of the Cancer Alliance, added: “We are delighted to welcome Simon to the Cancer Alliance. As Chief Executive of one of the trusts responsible for providing cancer services in Humber and North Yorkshire, he will bring fresh impetus to the Cancer Alliance as it continues its mission to transform the diagnosis, treatment and care for cancer patients in our area.

“I also want to thank Stephen for his contributions to the Cancer Alliance over the past 12 months.”

For more information about the work of the Cancer Alliance please click here.

Nov 21
NHS bus-ting bus

NHS Bus-ting Cancer Tour is making a stop in Grimsby

By Awareness and Early Diagnosis, National Campaigns

This November, the NHS in England takes the ‘Bus-ting Cancer Tour’ to brand new locations with NHS staff in a specially designed bus travelling across the country to encourage people who are worried about a cancer symptom to contact their GP practice.

Part of the NHS Help Us, Help You campaign, the bus is visiting towns and cities with some of the lowest early diagnosis rates, including Grimsby, Coventry, Nottingham, Basildon and Portsmouth, from Monday 27 November to Friday 1 December.

The tour aims to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and to encourage people to contact their GP practice if they notice something in their body that doesn’t feel right, because finding cancer early makes it more treatable and can save lives.

The NHS Bus-ting cancer bus will be at the ASDA supermarket on Holles street, Grimsby, on November 27th from 10am – 4pm. 

Health professionals are on hand at each stop to share further information and help people without a GP practice to sign up to their local service.

The NHS Bus-ting bus will be in Grimsby on November 27th

It’s important that if you are worried about a symptom that could be cancer, to contact your GP practice. To rule out cancer, your GP may refer you for tests. Whatever the result, your NHS is here for you.

While the majority (79%) of respondents in Yorkshire agree that early detection of cancer can significantly increase chances of successful treatment, 44% said they wouldn’t make an appointment with their GP if they noticed a change in their body that they thought could be cancer.

For more information on cancer signs and symptoms go to nhs.uk/cancersymptoms.

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