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Awareness and Early Diagnosis

Awareness of cancer and its symptoms is one of the keys to early diagnosis. Early diagnosis can save lives. Read here about some of the awareness and early diagnosis work taking place in Humber, Coast and Vale.

Mar 06
picture of one of the mobile scanning units for lung health checks. Large lorry type vehicle with steps at the side

Thousands more people in Humber and North Yorkshire to be checked for lung cancer every year – thanks to £1.1m investment in new CT scanner

By Awareness and Early Diagnosis, Lung Health Checks

An extra 7,000 people in Humber and North Yorkshire could receive potentially life-saving lung scans every year, following the acquisition of another CT scanning unit by partners working together to deliver the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check programme in the region.

The addition of a second CT scanner was made possible after NHS England and NHS Improvement awarded more than £1.1million to the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check programme in Humber and North Yorkshire, an area which includes Hull, East Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, York and North Yorkshire.

The CT scanning unit will be used to check the health of people’s lungs as part of the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check programme, which recently launched in North East Lincolnshire and has been running in Hull for approximately two years. The programme will be rolled out in other parts of Humber and North Yorkshire in the coming years.

The acquisition of an extra CT scanner will increase the diagnostic capacity of the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check programme in Humber and North Yorkshire, from around 7,000 lung health check scans per year to 14,000 scans per year, meaning people in our region can be checked sooner for conditions such as lung cancer, which often does not have any obvious symptoms in the early stages.

The NHS Targeted Lung Health Check programme invites people aged 55 – 74 who smoke or used to smoke and are registered with a local GP for a free Lung Health Check.

The screening consists of a telephone assessment and if necessary a low-dose CT scan and helps to identify potential lung problems, including lung cancer, at an earlier stage when they are easier to treat. The CT scans take place on a mobile scanning unit in the community, such as a supermarket car park or sports stadium, and only take 30 seconds to complete.

Dr Stuart Baugh, Clinical Director for Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance, said: “The addition of a second CT scanner is a timely boost to the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check programme in Humber and North Yorkshire as it will help us to potentially diagnose lung conditions in more people at an early stage – when treatment is likely to be more successful and straightforward.

“Community screening of this nature plays a huge part in the early detection of conditions such as lung cancer, which often has no symptoms in the early stages. By picking up problems earlier they can be easier to treat and can increase people’s chances of survival.”

Dr Kanwal Tariq, Consultant in Chest Medicine at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “It’s no exaggeration to say that for some people, the Lung Health Check has potentially been a life saver, and we are proud to have been leading such a proactive and forward-thinking initiative right here in Hull.

“We are keen to continue to play that central role in the delivery of Lung Health Checks further afield now that capacity is set to increase, and we look forward to seeing the new unit up in running in the near future.”

Visit the Cancer Alliance’s website to find out more about the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check programme in Humber and North Yorkshire.

Mar 03
picture of someone breaking a cigarette in half

Make the swap and stop smoking!

By Awareness and Early Diagnosis, Uncategorised

March the 8th is No Smoking Day 2023, and a great opportunity to have a go at quitting for good. Stopping smoking improves your brain health and reduces your chance of developing dementia. It’s never too late to quit to improve your mind, body, and bank balance!

Most people are aware that smoking causes 16 types of cancer, heart disease, COPD and strokes. What fewer people realise, is that smoking affects brain health and is a significant risk factor for dementia, which is the key focus this No Smoking Day. The World Health Organisation estimates that 14% of cases of Alzheimer’s disease worldwide are potentially caused by smoking. Dementia care costs the NHS more than 4 billion pounds annually, and social care costs are thought to exceed 18 billion pounds.

Dr M Santhana Krishnan, Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, also a member of the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership Dementia Steering Group said:

“Smoking increases the risk of both Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia, also the more someone smokes, the higher the dementia risk.
Like other smoking related health issues, quitting at any age can still significantly reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of Dementia”.

It can take a few attempts to stop smoking, and that’s why it’s important to keep trying different ways until you find the one that helps you to quit for good.

Support from local stop smoking services gives you the best chance of success, and GPs and pharmacists can also give advice and tips to help you quit. Swapping to a vape is another highly effective way of stopping smoking and is significantly less harmful than tobacco. Your local stop smoking service can help you through the process of using a vape to becoming completely Smokefree.

You can also download the free NHS Quit Smoking app, which includes daily emails and SMS, information and advice on stop smoking aids, including how vaping can help you quit; and an online Personal Quit Plan tool.

The NHS has prioritised the delivery of treatments for tobacco dependency, and in the Humber and North Yorkshire area hospitals are in the process of making sure everyone who smokes is offered expert support to swap cigarettes and rollups for safer forms of nicotine. This is proven to help get the best out of treatment by being Smokefree whilst in hospital and when they go home, where many people choose to take that next and best step for their health and stop for good.

Mandy was recently admitted to Hull Royal Infirmary with respiratory issues, needing oxygen and emergency care. As Mandy was a smoker, the doctor prescribed a long-lasting nicotine patch and referred her to see Bobbie, one of the Trust’s Tobacco Dependency Treatment team. Bobbie visited Mandy throughout her stay in hospital and talked through the habits associated with smoking, providing advice on how to develop new, smokefree routines.

Mandy, who had wanted to quit for a while after trying many times before and was smoking 30-40 cigarettes a day, is now completely Smokefree and wanted other people to know about the positive effect stopping smoking had for her,

“I would encourage anyone to give quitting another go.
I am now six weeks smokefree and it’s completely changed my life for the better!
I am walking more, cooking more and can taste my food again. I’ve managed to lose some weight and have more energy. I’ve saved enough money to buy my guinea pigs a new cage, which felt like an extra bonus after all the health benefits”.

Make this No Smoking Day the day to swap tobacco for something safer, download the NHS Quit Smoking app, or contact your local stop smoking service who can talk you through all the options so that you can find the one that works for you. Every quit attempt is precious, so let’s sort the next one out together.

For further information or to contact your local stop smoking service, which is completely free, visit Quit smoking – Better Health – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Feb 06
picture of a person in a blue hospital gown laying on the bed of a CT scanner with their hands above their head and a nurse next to them operating the scanner

Blog: NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Programme launches in North East Lincolnshire

By Awareness and Early Diagnosis, Blog, Cancer Diagnosis and Innovations

An update from Stuart Baugh, Programme Director for Humber and North Yorkshire NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Programme, as it launches in North East Lincolnshire. 

Following the success of Lung Health Checks in Hull, which have to date assessed over 15,000 people for lung related health problems and helped to detect 75-80% of lung cancer cases at earlier stages, I am proud to announce that Lung Health Checks are now also available in North East Lincolnshire.

It’s the NHS’ Long Term Plan ambition to detect more cancers at an earlier stage, saving thousands more lives. Cancer screening plays a key role in this.

I am privileged to have worked with a fantastic team to lead the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Programme in Hull for the last three years, one of 23 pilot lung screening programmes across the UK.

The Lung Health Check programme checks those most at risk of developing lung cancer and helps to detect lung cancer cases earlier than usual, giving people improved chances of treatment being effective and ultimately saving lives.

The programme is being offered to over 19,000 past and present smokers aged 55-74, in a phased approach over the next year. It started in Immingham in January and will gradually move across the county by GP practice. Anyone who is eligible will be written to and invited to book an appointment at a time that’s convenient to them when the unit is in their area.

Lung Health Checks consist of an initial telephone consultation that runs through any breathing issues people may be having, as well as lifestyle, family and medical history. If a certain level of risk is identified, then the person might be invited for a low dose CT scan on a mobile unit in the local community.

The scan only takes a few minutes, and our units are in easy to reach places, such as shopping centre and supermarket car parks, meaning people can easily park up and call in while going about the day-to-day business.

Lung Health Checks don’t just look for cancer, they can also diagnose a range of illness, such as emphysema, bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Like cancer, the earlier these diseases are found the easier they can be to treat and in turn this ultimately saves more lives.

I’m looking forward to working with colleagues across North East Lincolnshire to encourage people to take up these vital lifesaving checks and welcome your support with raising awareness of the programme in whatever way you can. If you would like to find out more about Lung Health Checks visit www.lunghealthcheck.org.uk.

 

 

 

 

Stuart Baugh, Programme Director for Humber and North Yorkshire NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Programme

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jan 17
blue background with text saying cervical cancer prevention awareness sessions and a QR code for the page with more information

Cancer Alliance offers awareness sessions to encourage people to come forward for cervical screening

By Awareness and Early Diagnosis, Cancer Champions

Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance is encouraging people to come forward for cervical screening by offering free cervical screening awareness sessions during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (23rd – 29th January).

The sessions are free and available online to anyone living or working in Humber and North Yorkshire. They will teach people about the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer, as well as providing advice about screening tests, the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause cervical cancer, and the HPV vaccination programme.

Dr Dan Cottingham, CRUK GP Lead for the Cancer Alliance, said: “Cervical cancer is the most preventable cancer and cervical screening can help identify changes in your cervix and the cells, before cervical cancer starts. It’s important to educate and support people to have the confidence to come forward for their screening, which is why we’ve decided to offer a series of bitesize awareness sessions.

“Some people can be nervous about cervical screening because they are unsure of what it entails. Offering specific sessions helps us to alleviate people’s concerns and encourage them to attend their screening, which can catch any problems at an earlier stage when they are easier to treat.”

The Cancer Alliance’s Cancer Champions awareness sessions give people the skills and confidence to have conversations about cancer with family and friends, which in turn can encourage more people to attend screening or seek GP advice for any concerns they may have.

Syeda signed up to a Cancer Champions training session having lost a family member to cancer and being nervous of attending her cervical screening appointment.

She said: “I had spoken to my GP about cervical screening, but I was put off by the terminology used and didn’t fully understand the procedure, so I avoided going for my screening when I was invited. After attending the Cancer Champions training everything felt so much clearer. Things were explained really simply, and it gave me the confidence to book a screening appointment. I would encourage anyone to take up screening appointments when offered as early detection can make a big difference.”

Emma Lewin, Project Manager for the Cancer Champions programme, said: “We’ve had people come back to us after the training sessions to let us know that the training encouraged them to have screening or to speak to their GP about a concern they have had, and it’s potentially saved their life or that of someone they know.

“It’s a privilege to be able to make a difference to people like Syeda. I’m looking forward to delivering the cervical screening awareness sessions and announcing our next round of Cancer Champions sessions to continue making a difference and ultimately save lives.”

Cervical screening in England is open to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64. People aged 24 to 49 will receive a letter every three years and those aged 50 to 64, every five years. More information is available on the NHS England website.

To reserve your place on one of the Cancer Alliance’s free cervical screening awareness sessions during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (23rd January to 29th January) visit the Cancer Alliance website.

Jan 09
David, a man with short hair, glasses and a striped t-shirt

Lung Health Check’s: David’s story

By Awareness and Early Diagnosis
David, a man with short hair, glasses and a striped t-shirt

David, from Hull, had never had any problems with his lungs but when he was invited for a Lung Health Check by his GP in January 2022, as an ex-smoker, he thought it would be a good idea to get a check and booked his appointment straight away.

David said: “I was initially contacted by a nurse, who carried out an assessment over the phone with me. I was then invited for a CT scan at the Lidl store car park, Hessle Road, Hull, which was local to me, so really convenient.

“When I arrived at the unit, I was greeted by three members of staff, who instantly made me feel really comfortable,” David recalled. “The whole thing didn’t take long, and I was told I’d be contacted within four weeks.”

Three weeks later David was contacted and told that the scan showed a small growth, called a nodule on his lung. He was then invited to have a spirometry test to check his lung capacity and another CT scan at Castle Hill Hospital.

He explained: “Luckily, I was informed that the nodule was inactive (non cancerous), which was a relief. I’ve been told that I’ll have regular checks to keep an eye on it though, which gives me good piece of mind.”

In addition to the nodule, the scan also found calcification in David’s arteries, which can be an early sign of coronary artery disease and can indicate an increased risk of heart attack. However simple lifestyle changes can help lower your risk.

David said: “The whole experience has been a bit of an early warning and influenced me to make changes to improve my health, such as improving my diet by cutting down on things like cheese and red meat.

“I’m so glad I had the Lung Health Check; it’s given me the chance to take positive steps before it’s too late. I want to encourage others who are invited to take up the offer too, it really can save lives.”

Sep 30

Cancer Alliance statement: National Screening Committee’s lung cancer screening recommendation

By Awareness and Early Diagnosis

The National Screening Committee has recommended the introduction of lung cancer screening for people aged between 55 and 74 who smoke or have previously smoked.

Dr Stuart Baugh, Clinical Director, Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance, comments:

“The Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance welcomes the National Screening Committee’s recommendation to offer lung screening to all people aged between 55 and 74 who smoke or who have smoked in the past.

“Lung cancer prevention is one of the Cancer Alliance’s top priorities – as we have several areas in our region where smoking prevalence is well above the national average.

“Early detection of lung cancer is key – because often lung cancer is symptomless until it is at an advanced stage.

“The Cancer Alliance was therefore pleased when Hull was picked as one of 10 pilot sites for the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check programme. Since its launch, the programme has delivered more than 12,800 screening appointments and more than 8,600 scans.

“The programme will be rolled out in North Lincolnshire in early 2023 and in North East Lincolnshire in early 2024. It is expected to be introduced in other areas of Humber and North Yorkshire over next five years.”

Find out more about the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Programme in Humber and North Yorkshire here: hnycanceralliance.org.uk/lung-health-check

Aug 08

"The Cancer Alliance has worked with partners to develop clinics to help people experiencing breast pain but no other symptoms"

Dr Dan Cottingham, Cancer Research UK GP Lead, Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance; and Alison Cockerill, Breast Cancer Programme Lead, Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance
Aug 02
picture of a man sat on a bed coughing with wording about a cough lasting three weeks or more being a warning sign

NHS launches awareness campaign in Humber and North Yorkshire for England’s most deadly cancer

By Awareness and Early Diagnosis, National Campaigns

The NHS in Humber and North Yorkshire is encouraging people with symptoms such as a long-standing persistent cough, to contact their GP practice for potentially lifesaving checks in its latest campaign to catch lung cancer earlier when it is easier to treat.

The launch of the latest Help Us Help You campaign comes after figures suggest that people at risk of lung cancer may not be coming forward for care despite lung cancer being the biggest cause of cancer deaths in England.

While most cancer referrals quickly returned to pre-pandemic levels after the first wave of COVID-19, lung cancer referrals only returned to pre-pandemic levels in May 2022.

Cancer health chiefs are warning the public to contact their GP team if they have had a persistent cough for longer than three weeks or notice other symptoms like coughing up blood or persistent breathlessness.

Lung cancer is one of the most serious type of cancers and last year was the fifth biggest cause of death in England accounting for 26,410 deaths.

Thanks to national awareness campaigns and early diagnosis initiatives, one in every four GP referrals are now for suspected cancer and the NHS is seeing record numbers of people getting checked for cancer. Over 5.3 million people were referred between June 2021 and May 2022, and over 670,000 have started treatment since March 2020.

The latest campaign will target the groups of people most at risk including over 60s, as well as people who are often more reluctant to visit their GP practice, which is critical to getting an early diagnosis.

Professor Peter Johnson, National Clinical Director for Cancer said: “It is vital that people stay alert against suspected lung cancer symptoms, so if you have a continuous cough or breathlessness, don’t ignore or assume it’s something else, please visit your GP and get it checked out – it probably won’t be cancer but catching it early can help save lives”.

The NHS ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign will run across TV, video-on-demand services such as ITV Hub, radio, and social media over the next few months to spread awareness of lung cancer symptoms.

Cally Palmer, NHS England National Cancer Director said: “We know for a fact most people who get diagnosed with lung cancer early go on to survive so it is imperative that people are aware of the symptoms and come forward as quickly as possible.

“The NHS is here to help and our services are open so people should not hesitate to come forward if they notice potential lung cancer symptoms”.

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “The ‘Help Us Help You’ initiative is empowering people to come forward for screening – particularly for lung cancer.

“I want to thank all those that continue to be involved in this life-saving campaign, which aims to increase the number of cancer patients diagnosed at earlier stages from half to three-quarters by 2028.

“If you have any of the key symptoms set out by the NHS, I urge you to see your GP without delay to get checked out – early diagnosis is absolutely vital to beat this disease”.

The NHS is also working with a leading lung cancer charity – the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation to run local awareness raising campaigns, as well as working with the foundation to rapidly expand the Targeted Lung Health Check Programme, currently in operation in Hull, which screen people at risk of developing lung cancer.

Paula Chadwick, chief executive of Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, said: “It is absolutely vital that if you are experiencing symptoms like a persistent cough or shortness of breath that you take action and contact your GP team. Don’t put it off. Don’t presume it’s nothing to worry about. Don’t worry about bothering your doctors. It is always best to check because if it is lung cancer, catching it early can make all the difference.”

Hear from local Hull residents who’ve benefitted from the Targeted Lung Health Check Programme and caught symptoms early enough for effective treatment.

The new lung cancer campaign is the latest drive by the NHS to deliver world-class cancer care and restore cancer services following the pandemic.

Earlier this year NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard announced a revolutionary drug, atezolizumab, for lung cancer patients thanks to an NHS England brokered deal which helps reduce the chance of lung cancer reappearing or death by 34%.

The NHS this year also secured access to durvalumab, which can help double how long somebody can survive an aggressive form of lung cancer, as well as, mobocertinib, which will help hundreds of patients tackle a rare form of lung cancer which can’t be removed by surgery.

Last month (July 2022), the NHS announced a breakthrough treatment for people with respiratory cancer, which is set to benefit around 1,000 patients a year in England.

Back in March an NHS campaign was backed by Boxers, Love Island and Killing Eve stars, to encourage people to come forward to get checked if they have potential cancer symptoms.

The NHS has also awarded £10 million to pioneering new cancer innovations to help improve cancer diagnosis across England.

The NHS Long Term Plan committed to increasing the proportion of cancers caught early, when they are easier to treat, from half to three in four.

 

Jul 27
picture of a nurse and man using scanner

NHS Targeted Lung Health Check service moves to East Hull

By Announcements, Awareness and Early Diagnosis

A high-tech mobile screening unit, which is helping to save lives through earlier diagnosis of lung cancer and other conditions, has moved to East Hull.

The NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Programme invites past and current smokers aged between 55 and 74 who live in Hull and are registered with a Hull GP to a free lung health check, to identify potential lung problems early so effective and early treatment can be provided.

The unit’s relocation from North Hull to Morrisons supermarket on Holderness Road will see approximately 10,000 people in East Hull invited for a lung health check within their local community.Unit at Morrisons on Holderness Road

The NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Programme supports the NHS Long Term Plan ambition of detecting more cancers at an earlier stage when they are easier to treat.

Thousands of people have been invited for a lung health check since the programme launched in Hull in January 2020, with around 10,500 assessments and 7,000 scans carried out during this time. In the small percentage where cancer is detected, many have been found at an earlier stage, which is likely to result in better outcomes for the patient.

The lung health check takes place in two stages. The first is an initial phone assessment with a specially trained respiratory nurse. 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 at the mobile unit.

Those eligible for a lung health check in East Hull will receive an invite from their GP over the coming weeks and are strongly urged to take up the offer.

Dr Stuart Baugh, Clinical Director for the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Programme in Hull, said: “There are often no signs or symptoms of lung cancer at an early stage and as a result seven in 10 patients are diagnosed too late.

“Early intervention can make a huge difference with a CT scan three times more likely to support a diagnosis of cancer at an early stage, often before symptoms occur. It can also spot other lung and chest conditions, meaning that people can get help and support for conditions they may not even have realised they have.”

Dr Kanwal Tariq, Consultant in Chest Medicine at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Since the screening programme started, people across Hull have shown a real interest in and enthusiasm for lung health checks, and we hope this will be repeated as the mobile unit moves to the east of the city.

“Many participants won’t need to have a scan, just a chat with a friendly lung specialist respiratory nurse which involves discussing any potential risk factors, any current chest problems and then some useful advice on keeping the lungs healthy. If a CT scan is needed, the team will make that as quick and straight forward as possible.”

The first GP practices in East Hull to invite patients to attend screening are East Hull Family Practice, East Park Practice, Laurbel Surgery and Dr Weir – based at Marfleet Primary Healthcare Centre.

Dr Masood Balouch, an East Hull GP, said: “It is very encouraging to see hundreds of people attending for their lung health checks every month. As a local GP, working in the East Hull area for many years, I urge all eligible patients to take up the offer of a lung health check straight away. Please call to book your lung health check when you get your invitation letter through from your practice.

“Early detection of cancer not only allows earlier treatment and support for people, it also helps to improve their long-term health outcomes.”

If you are registered with a GP practice in East Hull and receive a lung health check invite, don’t ignore it – book your appointment today. Contact your GP if you if you think you are experiencing symptoms of lung cancer.

The NHS Lung Health Check Programme will be launching in North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire during early 2023. Find out more about lung health checks in Hull at www.lunghealthcheck.org.uk.

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