Sunday 4 February, 2024 is World Cancer Day and the theme for this year, is “Closing the Care Gap” – a theme that has been held by World Cancer Day for the last three years.
To mark this annual event, we will be sharing details of some of the work we’re doing across Wessex Cancer Alliance.
We have been working with our programme leads, clinical teams, workforce managers and our public and patient involvement group, to ensure we are working to address care gaps and continue to improve equity of access and equality of care for everyone with cancer in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Dorset.
As well as the quantitative data that we can use to analyse access to care, we also have, and will continue to use, qualitative insight from the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey as well as reports and evaluations from Voluntary and research organisations, such as Macmillan, Cancer Research UK, Involving People, Help and Care and Healthwatch England; to name just a few.
This invaluable insight tells us where our efforts need to be focused, where issues remain and what impact the interventions we have made, are already having on our communities.
Below, are some examples of our most recent projects and campaigns that have been targeted at closing the care gap for the population of Wessex. We know there is still work to do but on this World Cancer Day, we want to celebrate the progress that is being made as well as acknowledge our commitment to ensuring a fair, equitable cancer service and experience for everyone living in Wessex.
Projects and Campaigns across Wessex:
Prostate Cancer and Black Men
Wessex Cancer Alliance has led a campaign to raise the awareness of prostate cancer and the heightened risk in Black men. 1 in 4 Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime and they are also at risk from a younger age, when compared to men from a White or Asian heritage. We plan to run this campaign again in March 2024. Read more.
Communities Against Cancer
Communities Against Cancer is about reaching communities who face poorer health outcomes and health inequalities and raising awareness of cancer to help improve their experiences and access to information. Find out more.
You Said, We Will – National Cancer Patient Experience Survey Report for Wessex
We have shared a report, in which we set out the work that Wessex Cancer Alliance will do to support improvements in cancer patient experience for people across Wessex – as a result of the feedback received from the NCPES Survey. Read our report here.
Cancer Innovations
World Cancer Day is a perfect time to highlight some of the work our jointly funded cancer innovation programme with Health Innovation Wessex is doing to close the diagnostic care gap. This pioneering programme is working with teams across Wessex to pilot innovations that have been proven to detect cancer earlier that will support the NHS Long Term Plan aim of diagnosing 75% of cancers at stages 1 and 2 to improve patient outcomes. Find out more about the programme and our collaboration with Health Innovation Wessex here.
Whatever it Takes
Whatever it Takes- Trans Aware Cancer Care
Wessex Cancer Alliance, Help & Care and partners are working together to understand the experiences of the Trans+ community in relation to cancer care and support. Utilising a community researcher approach to build on insights and inform inclusive service design and delivery. To find out more, contact Neil Bolton-Heaton (Involving People Programme Manager).
Whatever it Takes- What I’d Like to Say
‘What I’d Like to Say’ aims to understand the inequalities faced by disabled and neurodiverse people accessing and receiving Cancer care and support. Phase one of the project has completed and is now moving in to phase two. Utilising a community research approach to codesign solutions and develop training and workforce development resources for professionals providing cancer treatment and support. To find out more, please contact Neil Bolton-Heaton (Involving People Programme Manager)
Targeted Lung Health Checks
Targeted Lung Health Checks are designed to identify signs of cancer at an early stage when it is much more treatable – ultimately saving move lives.
Right By You
We recognise that sometimes despite best efforts, care for people with cancer can feel disjointed, with different services working separately. Right by You is focused on providing joined-up care and more personalised support for people affected by cancer. Read more.
Cervical Screening – Video texting pilot
A pilot that ran across four GP Practices in Dorset, targeting people who had not taken up their invitation for a cervical screening. A text message was sent to these people, which contained a link to a video, explaining what happens at a cervical screening appointment. The project led to an increase of 9% uptake.
Full evaluation report coming soon!
World Cancer Day, held every 4 February, is a global initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).
