The Government has pledged £8 million to help local NHS organisations fund campaigns that improve early diagnosis of cancer.
The investment follows the Prime Minister’s pledge to ensure that all patients with cancer symptoms receive their results from diagnostic tests within one week.
PCTs are being invited to bid for up to £100,000 to run campaigns targeted at one or more of the three biggest killers; breast, colorectal and lung cancer. The impact of each campaign will be measured so that the most effective can be repeated across the country.
PCTs will be able to use the money for a range of initiatives including advertising campaigns, outreach work and making more public information available.
National Cancer Director Mike Richards said: “This money will enable the NHS locally to raise awareness of the symptoms of the biggest cancer killers and to encourage patients to visit their GP earlier. Local campaigns and investment in new diagnostic services will also encourage GPs to ‘play it safe’ and refer patients for tests if they have any doubt.”
The Department of Health will work in partnership with the National Cancer Action Team and Cancer Research UK to support PCTs in developing, running and evaluating their campaign.
Cancer Research UK Chief Executive Harpal Kumar commented: “All too often cancer is found at a late stage when it’s harder to treat. For example, 90% of bowel cancers can be cured if treated early but only 13% are detected at the earliest stage. The projects that are funded at PCT level will have the potential to make a big impact on the number of people dying from the disease – helping to boost cancer survival to levels comparable with the best in Europe.”
PCTs will be given examples of successful campaigns. These will include the Doncaster Cough Campaign which promoted awareness that a persistent cough could mean lung cancer, through the use of a ‘coughing’ bus shelter and other innovative ideas.