CancerCare is helping people across Lancashire and South Cumbria improve their understanding of cancer through the Early Diagnosis Project and its growing network of Cancer Awareness Champions.
Early diagnosis is one of the most effective ways to improve cancer outcomes. When cancer is diagnosed at an earlier stage, treatment is often more successful, patients may have more treatment options, and their chances of survival can improve.
However, too many cancers are still diagnosed at a late stage, and opportunities for prevention, screening and earlier diagnosis continue to be missed. Health inequalities also mean that people’s experiences of cancer awareness, access to screening and ability to seek timely medical advice can vary significantly depending on where they live and their individual circumstances.
The Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Alliance brings together NHS organisations, local authorities, voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations, academic partners and other stakeholders to improve cancer outcomes across the region.
Recognising that different communities face different barriers to accessing health information and services, the Early Diagnosis Project aims to improve cancer awareness, encourage appropriate engagement with screening programmes and support people to seek medical advice when they notice potential symptoms.
A key part of this work is the Cancer Awareness Champions programme. Through a growing network of trained and supported volunteers, trusted cancer awareness messages are shared within local communities, helping people access information that could make a real difference to their health.
CancerCare is proud to be an anchor organisation within the programme, delivering training to local people so they can become Cancer Awareness Champions and help raise awareness within their own communities.
By equipping people with the knowledge and confidence to share important information, the programme aims to reach individuals who may otherwise face barriers to accessing cancer awareness messages or engaging with health services.
For more information, please watch the Cancer Alliance's video which was showcased at the Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Conference in October: