News and announcements from across the Humber, Coast and Vale region.
Click here to read the latest edition of Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance’s stakeholder newsletter.
This edition includes updates on:
Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance is pleased to launch its inaugural annual Excellence in Cancer awards.
The awards have been created to celebrate the people working in cancer services in Humber and North Yorkshire for their hard work, innovation and unwavering commitment to deliver the best care for patients possible in the region.
Whether they work in clinical or non-clinical roles, the Cancer Alliance wants to recognise those people responsible for outstanding work to improve lives and treatment for people with cancer in Humber and North Yorkshire.
The award categories are:
Quality Improvement and Innovation: Do you know any individuals, teams or projects which have used innovation to deliver improvements to existing cancer services which have had a positive impact on patient care? If so, please consider nominating them for the Quality Improvement and Innovation award.
Clinical Leadership: This award recognises clinical leaders who have demonstrated system collaboration to improve care for cancer patients. If you know of anyone who meets this criteria, please consider nominating them for the Clinical Leadership award.
Championing the Patient Voice: Do you know of any individuals, teams or projects which have championed the patient voice by involving patients in their work and used their views to improve experiences for patients, particularly in those communities experiencing the greatest health inequalities? If so, please considering nominating them for the Championing the Patient Voice award.
Going the Extra Mile: This award aims to recognise the unsung heroes – those who go above and beyond in the interest of providing the best possible care for cancer patients – showing resilience, compassion, adaptability or any other favourable quality in the process. If you know of any individuals or teams who fit this bill, please consider nominating them for the Going the Extra Mile award.
Lucy Turner, Managing Director, Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance, said: “The Cancer Alliance is delighted to announce launch of our first ever annual awards to recognise the hard-working, innovative, resourceful and resilient colleagues working across cancer services in Humber and North Yorkshire.
“If you know of anyone working in cancer services in Humber and North Yorkshire who consistently goes above and beyond to deliver exceptional care for patients, please consider nominating them for one or more of the awards.”
Deadline for submitting your nomination is 5pm, Friday 9 August. Any submitted entries after this deadline will not be considered.
A panel of judges will consider each nomination and the winners will be announced at the Cancer Alliance’s annual conference at the Lakeside Conference Centre, York Biotech Campus, in York on Thursday, 19 September.
You can submit your nominations by clicking here: https://humbernorthyorkshire.engage-360.co.uk/surveys/144
Rules for entry
For further information please contact the HNY Cancer Alliance communications and engagement team: [email protected]
Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance is actively recruiting people with lived experience of cancer to join its expanding Patient and Public Representative Group. Lived experience could mean either as a patient or the carer of someone with a cancer diagnosis.
As a Patient or Public Representative, you will have the opportunity to share your experience of cancer to help improve cancer services across Humber and North Yorkshire. Your main role would be to use your knowledge and experience to give feedback on, and advise about, the impact on patients of work developed and undertaken by the Cancer Alliance.
You will be in a unique position, acting as a critical friend to the Cancer Alliance, by using your voice to challenge the approach and thinking of those making decisions in an appropriate manner, remaining respectful and open to a wide range of opinions and thought processes.
To find out more about the opportunity, visit the Cancer Alliance website and download a recruitment pack. To apply, please complete an expression of interest.
Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance is pleased to announce the publication of its 23/24 annual report.
This edition is the Cancer Alliance’s biggest annual report yet – a reflection of the plethora of work which has been carried out during the past 12 months to transform the diagnosis, treatment and care for cancer patients in Humber and North Yorkshire.
Click here to read the report, which captures the Cancer Alliance’s work throughout the year in line with the requirements of the NHS Long Term Plan.
Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance stands in support of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill as it clears committee stage and moves towards its third reading.
The bill, which passed its second reading on 16 April 2024, is a crucial step towards reducing cancer rates for future generations. As advocates for public health and cancer prevention, the Cancer Alliance commends the Government’s commitment to tackling the root causes of cancer, particularly the devastating impact of smoking.
Smoking remains one of the leading preventable causes of cancer, contributing to a significant portion of cancer cases and deaths in our region. Up to two-in-three long-term smokers are expected to die from a smoking-related disease[1].
Smoking is also the single biggest avoidable risk factor for cancer. Tobacco smoke is estimated to be responsible for nearly one fifth (64,500) of all new cancer cases a year and causes 27% of all cancer deaths in the UK. The most recent statistics for the UK show that 19% of all cancers are linked to tobacco smoke exposure.
Stephen Eames, Chief Executive of NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “The case for action on smoking is clear. We must do more to prevent ill health in the first place, not just treat it afterwards. This is why our partnership in Humber and North Yorkshire has set up a ground-breaking Centre of Excellence in Tobacco Control. Smoking is the single biggest cause of preventable illness and death in our region, costing our area £464.9 million a year with £57.2 million in health care costs alone[2].
“Cancer is one of the ICB’s top four priorities and affects a significant proportion of our population. As a system, we are working together continuously to improve diagnosis, treatment and awareness. Public health legislation, such as the Tobacco and Vapes bill, will have a profound effect on our work in this area in the years to follow”
The Tobacco and Nicotine Bill represents a watershed moment in the collective fight against cancer. By implementing stricter regulations on tobacco, this legislation will save lives and spare many families from the anguish of losing loved ones to this preventable disease.
Mr Kartikae Grover, Clinical Director of Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance, emphasised the significance of the legislative milestone, stating: “The Tobacco and Nicotine Bill marks a historic moment in our efforts to combat cancer. By reducing access to harmful tobacco products and promoting healthier alternatives, we are paving the way for a future where cancer rates decline and communities thrive.
Lucy Turner, Managing Director of the Cancer Alliance, added: “As advocates for cancer prevention, we applaud this action to prioritise public health. This bill sends a clear message that protecting our population from the harms of smoking is a top priority, and we stand ready to support its swift passage into law.
“Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance remains steadfast in our commitment to advancing policies and initiatives that promote cancer prevention and improve outcomes for patients and families across our region. Together, let us continue working towards a future where cancer is no longer a threat to our communities.”
Scott Crosby, Associate Director of the Centre of Excellence for Tobacco Control at NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership said: “The third reading marks another crucial step in consigning smoking to history. As the Tobacco and Vapes Bill progresses to the third stage and then the House of Lords, let us expedite its passage before the general election. The overwhelming public support demands nothing less.”
NHS England » Tobacco dependency programme
[2] https://ash.org.uk/uploads/Smoking-and-Cancer-Fact-Sheet.pdf?v=1692800564
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:
Who can apply for a Cancer Innovation Grant?
The Cancer Alliance welcomes applications from:
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:
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:
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].
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:
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:
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:
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.
Click here to read the latest edition of Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance’s stakeholder newsletter.
This edition includes updates on:
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.
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.
Early detection increases your chances of surviving cervical cancer so knowing what symptoms to look out for is important.
Symptoms of cervical cancer include:
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.
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.
Click here to read the latest edition of Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance’s stakeholder newsletter.
This edition includes updates on:
Email: [email protected]
Address: Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance, Health House, Grange Park Lane, Willerby, Hull HU10 6DT
© Copyright – Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance - Terms & Conditions - Privacy & Cookie Policy
