Awareness and Early Diagnosis

At the peak of the pandemic, the number of cancer referrals dropped by 60% and although they have recovered well in general, lung cancer has been one of the slowest to recover.

A national ‘Help Us Help You’ campaign which ran between February and May has helped to encourage people with a persistent cough to contact their GP, but there can often be no symptoms during the earliest stage of lung cancer, so it is important to also identify and diagnose those at highest risk of developing the disease.

The Targeted Lung Health Check Programme invites people who are between the ages of 55 to less than 75, are current or previous smokers, live in Hull and are registered with a Hull GP, to take part in a free NHS Lung Health Check.

Eligible participants take part in a telephone assessment with a specially trained nurse and those reaching the risk score threshold are then invited to attend a low dose CT scan on board a mobile unit, which is currently situated at Castle Hill Hospital. You can find out more about Lung Health Check appointments in the video below:

We have seen the potential impact of this programme from its initial launch in January 2020. The service ran for five weeks and during that time it welcomed over 900 participants, helped to identify a number of cancers at an early stage and referred over 100 people to local stop smoking services.

As we continue to accelerate Lung Health Checks in Hull, I am incredibly optimistic that we can make a difference to lung cancer outcomes and address some of the health inequalities that exist across our region.

There is a great enthusiasm for this programme both nationally and across the Humber, Coast and Vale area, and as we collaboratively work to roll out NHS Lung Health Checks further, I am looking forward to ensuring more people can benefit from a programme that is at the heart of the NHS Long Term Plan ambitions for cancer.

Dr Stuart Baugh
Programme Director
Targeted Lung Health Checks in Hull

Over 2,020 Cancer Champions are helping to raise awareness of the symptoms of cancer and encourage early detection of cancer across Scarborough, Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, Vale of York and North and North East Lincolnshire.

Detecting cancer early can increase chances of survival and the HCV Cancer Alliance’s Cancer Champion Programme aims to teach people about the early signs of cancer, and equip them with the information needed to engage in conversations about cancer.

Cancer Champions are able to use the knowledge gained from a free 90 minute session, to encourage their friends, family and colleagues to contact their GP if they are worried about a symptom of cancer, promote uptake of national cancer screening programmes and encourage healthy lifestyle choices to reduce the risk of cancer.

Cancer awareness sessions have been delivered in local schools, businesses, community venues, and more recently online. In August 2020, HCV Cancer Alliance introduced virtual sessions after face-to-face training was paused as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Emma Lewin, Volunteer Co-ordinator for the programme, explains: “We started delivering face-to-face awareness sessions in September 2018 and had set a goal of reaching 2,020 Cancer Champions in 2020. However, during the first wave of the pandemic all sessions were paused until further notice and we had to adapt in order to continue the programme and keep sharing the important messages about knowing your body and what is and isn’t normal for you.

“By introducing virtual sessions, we were pleased to be able to continue increasing the number of people in the HCV area equipped to have those potentially life-saving conversations within local communities.”

The programme has received positive feedback from participants, with one Cancer Champion saying: “This really opened my eyes and made me realise how important it is to educate yourself, your loved ones, friends and the public on cancer and possibly catch it earlier to save someone’s life.” Another recently trained Cancer Champion said: “Given how common cancer is, it made me really think about how little I talk about it with family and friends.”

To sign up for a free 90 minute cancer awareness session or to find out more, visit https://hnycanceralliance.org.uk/cancerchampions/

Linda Nolan and Bill Turnbull are among the celebrities with cancer who have joined NHS doctors in urging the public to come forward for important checks.

The call comes after concerns were raised that people have delayed seeking help due to the coronavirus pandemic. It has been shown in the past that celebrities opening up about their cancer diagnoses has led to increases in referrals. Nearly half of the public have said they had concerns about seeking help in the midst of the outbreak, while one in 10 said they would not contact their GP even if they had a lump or a new mole.

Both Linda and her sister Anne, who were part of Irish family pop group The Nolans, recently announced that they had been diagnosed with cancer within days of each other. Linda, 61, has been undergoing treatment for liver cancer, while Anne, 69, has stage three breast cancer. Another sister, Bernie, died of breast cancer in 2013 at the age of 52.

Linda, who is receiving chemotherapy at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, said: “The care I have received has been nothing short of exceptional, and I know people up and down the country have had similar experiences of the heroic work the NHS and staff are doing to continue to deliver the vital care we all need, even as they deal with the ongoing pandemic.

“So, whilst it might seem daunting, it’s important people know they can feel absolutely safe in the hands of the NHS going in for treatments.”

Hospitals have put in extensive measures so patients can get safely tested and treated, and Linda added: “If there is care or treatment you need, don’t delay, and contact your GP or NHS 111 to ask about any symptoms.

“It’s so important people get checked out when they need to. Cancer doesn’t wait, and timing is everything. It might be the very thing that makes all the difference.”

There has been a sharp drop in the number of people coming forward for cancer checks, with 141,643 referred in June compared with almost 200,000 during the same period last year.

Former BBC Breakfast star Bill Turnbull first talked about his diagnosis in 2018, which led to a 36% jump in people being referred for prostate cancer, and it is now the most common cancer in the country. He said: “Cancer is a cruel disease and unfortunately it did not disappear during the coronavirus outbreak. We know that it’s all too easy to put something like this off, but please do contact the NHS if you have any signs of cancer.”

Radio presenter and writer Deborah James, known as “Bowel Babe”, has been sharing her experiences about safely continuing treatment at the Royal Marsden on Twitter. She said: “While coronavirus is the new big C in everyone’s lives, it doesn’t stop cancer killing people, too. It’s still a threat and not just for those who are already diagnosed – you must check yourself for symptoms.

“For anyone who is worried about having their treatment during this time, the NHS is still there for people like me and you – it might look slightly different but the staff and the care remain the same.”

Professor Peter Johnson, NHS clinical director for cancer, said that waiting to get help can have serious health consequences now and in the future.

He said: “We cannot let Covid become a reason for people not to get checked for cancer – NHS staff up and down the country have worked very hard to make sure that tests and treatment can go ahead quickly and safely.

“Cancers are detected earlier and lives are saved if more people are referred for checks, so our message to you is to come forward – it could save your life.”

Dr Rumina Önaç, GP and Green Impact for Health lead at The Old School Medical Practice in York has shared her detailed experience of caring for patients during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a blog article posted on the NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) website, Dr Önaç gives an open account of the challenges, irritations and positive outcomes which have impacted on how the primary care environment works.

Dr Önaç said: “Whilst lockdown forced the swift reconfiguration of our appointment lists, surgeries worked incredibly hard to find workarounds enabling us to continue to care for patients and protect staff, despite the restrictions.

“Walking through deserted waiting rooms, seeing closed doors and ‘no entry’ signs everywhere, deliberately keeping patients waiting outside rather than welcoming them into our buildings, and avoiding physical contact wherever possible. No human touch. That goes against everything it means to be a doctor!”

However an understanding of patients’ needs has allowed Dr Önaç and her colleagues across practices in the Vale of York to keep up a positive relationship with their patients. She said:

“We’re lucky to get to know patients and families over a number of years, gaining an insight into not just their symptoms but their background, support network, and their highs and lows. This means we have a lot of very useful information to knit together when we’re trying to help patients shape solutions for whatever it is that might be worrying them.”

New ways of working have been put in place within GP surgeries, including an increased uptake of video and telephone appointments. This has enabled concerned patients to be seen without having to leave home and travel to a surgery. Dr Önaç explains some of the other ways patient care has continued:

“Medicines are being dispensed through reception hatch windows at The Old School Medical Practice, or even home-deliveries for some very rural patients up in Stillington, and plenty of consultations have been done through glass doors or windows.”

Dr Önaç also mentions those patients who will have missed the face-to face interaction with their GP practice, such as those with long term conditions, who often feel more of a benefit and reassurance from seeing their nurse or GP in person.

“Staff roles have altered, there have been lists solely devoted to ringing patients with chronic conditions to provide reassurance and offer alternatives like vitamin B12 tablets instead of 3-monthly injections, and reception staff have been key in explaining what to expect when visiting the surgery for patients who do end up coming down for face-to-face appointments. Teams have devised drive-through blood taking clinics and immunisation clinics”

Dr Önaç predicts that the overwhelming camaraderie and enthusiasm to create new ways of doing things will outlast this pandemic, a demonstration of the how well all primary care staff have adapted to new roles and responsibilities to keep primary care running as safely and smoothly as possible.

“Whatever the ‘new normal’ looks like, whenever it occurs, it’s gladdening to know that some of the changes we’ve made are truly improvements that will benefit patients and staff alike, and we should be very proud not only of Primary Care’s swift response to the pandemic, but of our subsequent and ongoing innovation.”

To read the blog ‘Dr Rumina Önaç – After the apocalypse’ in full please visit the NHS Vale of York CCG website: www.valeofyorkccg.nhs.uk/after-the-apocalypse/