The NHS has trained local people in Keighley to talk to their friends, family and neighbours about cancer signs, symptoms, and screening – ultimately saving lives.
20 community champions are on a mission to raise awareness of cancer at local community centres, as well as holding dedicated events to talk about cancer symptoms and supporting people to attend routine cancer screening appointments when invited. The approach has been supported by a range of organisations through the Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership.
1 in 2 people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime. Cancer screening is for people with no symptoms at all. Cancer that’s diagnosed at an early stage is more likely to be treated successfully.
Since January 2024, the champions have supported local women to attend their cervical screening, and this has been one of the initiatives that has contributed to more women coming forward for screening, with 3,573 women attending screening appointments – an extra 144 people going for the test – in just one year.
Feedback from local people has been that there is a better understanding of cancer and the importance of attending screening appointments. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with people saying they have more of an understanding of cancer and cancer symptoms.
One of the community champions for Eden Community Association said:“The health champion initiative has increased confidence for staff and raised more health awareness in a community setting. Some community members were reluctant to have their health check before but now proactively seek this service during our breakfast session.
“The training has lifted barriers, so people know when to go to their GP practice for help. This has allowed for early intervention in managing the condition better as more people are taking ownership for their own health.”
Shaida, one of the community champions from Highfield Community Association, said: “The initiative has taught us a lot about cancer and the difference screening can make, which we then share with users. Prior to these meetings my knowledge about cancer was zero, but with the training sessions I feel much more comfortable having these conversations with people.
“We have had various events with amazing turn outs and having things such as visual aids to help people learn hands on such as feel for small tumours that can grow into breast cancer.”
The NHS routinely offers cervical screening for all women aged 25 to 64, breast screening for women aged 50 to 70 years old, and a bowel screening home test for everyone aged 54 to 74.
Keighley is also part of a pilot that is offering lung health checks to people aged 55-74 who are smokers or ex-smokers, invitations will be sent by the NHS over the next few months. For more information visit www.lunghealthcheckaware.co.uk.
The community champions also help to inform people about reducing the risks of cancer such as healthy lifestyles, stopping smoking and drink awareness. This helps the community to have the support they need to lead healthier lifestyles and to increase life expectancy.
The funding for the champions came from Core20PLUS5 funding, a national NHS England approach to support the reduction of health inequalities.
To find out about the lifestyle changes that can help reduce the risks of developing cancer visit https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/worried-about-cancer/causes-and-risk-factors.
