Across the South East the NHS is stepping up action to tackle cancer inequalities, with new community‑led programmes and early diagnosis initiatives helping more people access life‑saving information, screening and support. 

The work underpins the ambitions of the national cancer plan: diagnosing more cancers earlier, reducing variation in outcomes, and ensuring people from every community can access timely, high‑quality care. 

Across the South East, Cancer Alliances are partnering with voluntary and community organisations to reach people who may be less likely to engage with traditional health services. 

Dr Christopher Tibbs, Regional Medical Director for NHS England South East, said: “The evidence shows that where you live, your background and your circumstances can all influence how and when you access cancer services. Tackling these inequalities is central to our work. By partnering with community organisations and expanding early diagnosis programmes, we are ensuring more people are diagnosed earlier and have the best chance of successful treatment.” 

One example is the Communities Against Cancer (CAC) programme, delivered through Wessex Cancer Alliance. CAC trains trusted community leaders to share culturally relevant cancer information, promote screening and break down stigma in groups with historically lower uptake. The programme has supported hundreds of people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to learn about symptoms, screening and prevention. 

Arun Mummalaneni is a local Councillor in both in Basingstoke and Hampshire and his father was diagnosed with cancer. He has been working with the Communities Against Cancer programme and Wessex Cancer Alliance to raise awareness of the importance of screening and cancer treatment. “One in two people will be diagnosed with cancer and my family wasn’t an exception with my father diagnosed with cancer. What we did was we managed to diagnose it early which saved his life. Please don’t ignore it, please consult your GP,” he says.  

This approach is being strengthened by local organisations such as Kikoi Connection, which recently ran a prostate cancer awareness event in Basingstoke for Black, African, Caribbean and Asian communities. The event created a safe, culturally relevant space for open discussion and increased understanding of prostate cancer risks and early testing. Attendees reported greater confidence in asking questions about prostate health, screening and early detection — demonstrating the impact of trusted messengers and community‑led engagement. 

While Grace Powell, founder and chair of Basingstoke Caribbean Society and Friends – a group who also works closely with Wessex Cancer Alliance to raise awareness of cancer amongst the Caribbean community – encourages people to know the signs and listen to their body. “Don’t just write it off as nothing, go and speak to your doctor and get medical advice and learn what the signs and symptoms of cancer are. Go and speak to your GP and get it checked out. Don’t keep it hidden, get it sorted nice and early.” 

In Surrey and Sussex, the Cancer Alliance is expanding its Lung Cancer Screening Programme, which identifies people at higher risk of lung cancer and offers a free assessment and low‑dose CT scan if needed. The programme is already detecting cancers at an earlier stage, when treatment is more effective, and is helping reduce inequalities by reaching communities with higher smoking prevalence and poorer health outcomes. 

In Kent and Medway, the Cancer Alliance is working with local partners to tackle some of the most entrenched cancer inequalities in the region. With higher levels of deprivation and late‑stage diagnosis, the alliance is taking cancer awareness and early diagnosis support directly into neighbourhoods through outreach events, mobile clinics and partnerships with trusted local organisations. For example, with only 72% of Black women diagnosed with breast cancer at an early stage compared with 85% of white women, the Alliance has worked with social enterprises to run pop‑up sessions offering friendly, informal conversations about breast health, symptoms and how to overcome barriers to seeking care. 

The South East continues to have some of the highest cancer screening uptake rates in the country, but variation remains between communities. To address this, NHS teams are working with local authorities, faith groups and community organisations to increase awareness of bowel, breast and cervical screening — including the region’s dedicated Love Your Cervix campaign, which supports national ambitions to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 and also targets women from ethnic minority backgrounds who are less likely to attend screening appointments. 

Dr Daghni Rajasingam, Deputy Regional Medical Director, for NHS England South East added: “Community‑led initiatives like Communities Against Cancer and the work of groups such as Kikoi Connection show the power of trusted voices in breaking down stigma and reaching people who may not otherwise come forward. Combined with targeted programmes like lung health checks and the Love Your Cervix campaign, this is how we close the gap and deliver fairer outcomes for everyone.”