News

World Cancer Day 2017 – much to celebrate with improvements and innovation in cancer care across the South

Nigel Acheson, Regional Medical Director and Chair of the Cancer Priority Programme Board, NHS England South

Saturday 2 February marked World Cancer Day 2017, an opportunity to unite against cancer, raising awareness of the disease and promote prevention activity.

In my capacity as the chair of NHS England South’s Cancer priority programme board, it is my role to work with the clinical networks and partners across the South region to drive improvements in performance and care.

And so today is also an opportunity to reflect on progress and share some recent examples of innovation, helping to fight cancer and improve the quality of care we can provide.

Thames Valley-wide Strategic Clinical Network review seeks to improve early diagnosis:

Nearly a quarter of people are diagnosed with cancer after attending hospital as an emergency patient and it is a reality that these patients tend to have poorer outcomes.

Thames Valley Strategic Clinical Network published last week the results of a Thames Valley-wide audit of the entire patient journey for those diagnosed with cancer following an emergency presentation at hospital.

Some really useful learning was identified, including the nature of tumour biology and some clear system issues which need to be addressed. But one of the most important aspects for me from the study was the importance of prevention and improving patient behaviours.

First, we know that up to 42% of cancer cases in the UK could be prevented. We know environmental exposures and lifestyle choices lead to cancer and the good news is we now have many more ways to avoid these risk factors.  Healthier lifestyle choices – stopping smoking, responsible drinking, avoiding obesity through healthy eating and exercise, applying sun screen – all play a significant role in lowering our risk.

The report also drew clear links between delays in seeking advice contributing to an emergency presentation, a delay to diagnosis and the impact on outcome that this may have.

The learning for us all is that we need to be more body aware and be confident of seeking expert advice swiftly. Any unexplained changes to your body, such as a lump or blood in your urine, need to prompt a rapid response, not putting it off or hoping it will go away.

This was an excellent piece of work and we will now share the learning across the region.

Dedicated team provides unique, specialist support to teenagers and young people with cancer – Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust:

The Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) Team based at Oxford University Hospitals provides a service to teenagers and young adults aged 16-24 who have been diagnosed with cancer living in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Wiltshire.

The Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) Specialist Team are a dedicated group of mixed professionals including doctors, nurses, pyschologists and youth workers.  They work alongside the young person’s main clinical teams providing extra support and advocacy.

They provide care that extends beyond the direct focus of the young person’s treatment, providing a range of cognitive, recreational and social activities, peer interaction and support. Allowing a teenage cancer patient to continue to develop as a young person is vital.

The Trust has developed dedicated areas where young people can socialise in comfort and the company of others their age going through similar experiences.

This is all part of their fantastic work to support enhanced care for what can be a particularly vulnerable patient group – another example of great care for those with cancer.

Fundraising success brings high-tech prostate cancer diagnostic technology to the South West

I want to congratulate the work of a recent fundraising appeal led by the Chestnut Appeal, which has raised over £100,000 allowing the purchase of a state-of-the-art Ultrasound-MRi Fusion scanner for Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, with further machines to be purchased in Devon and Cornwall.


The MRI-TRUS Fusion device provides precise targeting and is the best possible prostate biopsy currently available. Whether for a first biopsy or as a repeat biopsy, patients have a greater peace of mind knowing that the chance of detecting significant prostate cancer is maximised whilst reducing the risk of false negative results.

An incredible effort by all those involved.

Southampton to receive a multi-million pound cash injection from Cancer Research UK to fund ground-breaking work in the city

In addition to providing excellent care, the South region continues to play its part in undertaking the latest research.

Cancer Research UK plans to invest around £6.7 million over the next five years into the Cancer Research UK Southampton Centre – made up of experts from the University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust – part of the development of a unique chain of cutting-edge research hubs around the UK.

As well as supporting its world-renowned research in immunology and immunotherapy, the Centre will use this money to accelerate work on understanding the biology of and improving treatments for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, bladder and breast cancer.  It will also help build upon its existing strength in cancer surgery.

The Centre also aims to be a world-leader in developing treatments tailored to individual patients’ cancers based on their tumour’s specific genetic make-up, with an aim to improve their outlook.

A key part of the funding will involve training the next generation of cancer researchers – including 15 PhD students – to ensure that the brightest scientists are attracted and supported in their career in cancer research.

This funding for research will help us to continue to make improvements in the prevention and treatment of cancer for the future.