World Cancer Day, which took place earlier this month and was themed ‘Close the Care Gap’, is more than just a day on the calendar for NHS staff in the South East.

The theme for this year’s awareness day forms part of the NHS’s long-term plan to improve cancer outcomes and services, with the aim to improve quality of life outcomes, improve patient experience and to reduce variation and inequalities by 2028.

Recruiting cancer champions to engage with people from different communities in Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, to rolling out targeted programmes, such as the Targeted Lung Health Check programme in Slough and Aldershot – are just some of the ways in which the region is working hard to ensure more equal access to cancer diagnosis, treatment and care, and for accelerating change to better support those living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis.

In Sussex, an audit is underway to understand why some people with severe mental illness (SMI) in Brighton and Hove/East Sussex do not participate in bowel screening and when they do why they don’t attend appointments if there is an abnormal test.

In Kent and Medway, a screening inequalities subgroup was set-up last year to provide a platform for different screening provider colleagues (breast, cancer and cervical screening for example) to come together to discuss ways of addressing inequalities, with the aim of increasing awareness and access amongst common underserved groups. This works continues.

The Wessex Cancer Alliance, which brings together clinicians and managers from health, social care and other services to transform diagnosis, treatment and care for cancer patients in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Dorset, is working in partnership 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.

Dr Vaughan Lewis, Medical Director at NHS England South East, said: “Our aim is to ensure cancer services are designed and delivered in ways that meet the needs of different populations across the South East, maximise the impact of our programmes and reduce health inequalities.

He added: “Thanks to the continued hard work of our staff, greater awareness of cancer screenings, ongoing research and new and more innovative technology, more people are surviving cancer than ever before, but we know that we can save even more lives by catching more cancers early and starting treatment promptly.

“We want every person who is diagnosed with cancer to have the best possible care and outcome.”

Last month, NHS England re-launched the ‘Reducing cancer barriers’ phase of the

‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign, with the aim of encouraging people who are

experiencing potential signs of cancer to contact their GP practice to help increase earlier diagnosis and improve outcomes.

The campaign, which runs until 31 March 2024, is designed to address the key barriers to people seeking help, the fear around cancer diagnosis and the importance of body awareness when it comes to bodily changes that could be a sign of cancer.

Dr Lewis said:” Don’t carry the worry of cancer with you. If something in your body doesn’t feel right contact your GP practice.

“To rule out cancer, your GP may refer you for tests. Whatever the result, your NHS is here for you.

“Until you find out, you can’t rule it out.”

If you have any concerns about cancer, go to nhs.uk/cancersymptoms for clear, accessible information about different signs and symptoms of cancer.

The NHS website has over 4,000 pages providing information and advice on the symptoms and treatment of medical conditions, as well as where to find help and support.