Oesophageal Cancer awareness month

February is Oesophageal Cancer awareness month highlighting this important cancer which accounts for over 8,000 deaths a year in the UK, despite 59% of cases being preventable. Sadly 51.6% of patients present at Stage 4 with only a 23% 1 year survival. If diagnosed at Stage 1, the 1 year survival for oesophageal cancer is 87.5%

So what can we do?

Be aware of the symptoms

Typical symptoms are worsening dysphagia and regurgitation but can include persistent heartburn, weight loss or throat/ chest pain. There may be nonspecific signs eg new unexplained raised platelet count.

Be aware of the risk factors

These include obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption and reflux - all of which are potentially amenable to lifestyle modification.

Barrett’s disease of the oesophagus is also a risk factor for oesophageal cancer - though the risk is relatively small with 3-13% of patients developing oesophageal cancer during their lifetime. Lifestyle modification, treatment with high dose proton pump inhibitors and participation in surveillance programmes where appropriate are important. In primary care, we may be able to identify patients who have stopped attending surveillance.

Oesophageal cancer risk is also linked with deprivation. Additionally patients who have had radiotherapy for other cancers eg breast, lung, larynx are also at slightly increased risk of oesophageal cancer.

The future

Pilots involving the use of cytosponge are taking place which, if successful, may facilitate earlier diagnosis.

'Help Us, Help You’ – Bowel Cancer Screening Campaign Launched

NHS England’s new ‘Bowel Cancer Screening’ campaign has launched featuring the engaging ‘Ribbon Dancer’ creative. This latest phase of NHS England’s ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign is designed to encourage people who are sent the NHS bowel cancer screening home test kit to complete and return it. The campaign launched on Monday 20th February and runs until 31st March 2023. It is supported by Cancer Research UK. Further information can be found on our website.

Please do consider supporting this campaign. A range of resources are available, including some specifically designed for digital screens in GP practices, and these can all be downloaded from the campaign resource centre.

Coming soon - New Wessex-wide 2WW referral form for suspected urological cancer

The current prostate 2WW referral form and urology 2WW referral form have been merged, to create an updated single form for all suspected urological cancers. The form incorporates the latest guidance from NICE on age related PSA reference ranges. 

The form will be available on GP clinical systems from the 31st March 2023. 

To give feedback on the new form, or for any queries please contact england.wessexcanceralliance@nhs.net

Dorset Targeted Lung Health Checks

We are delighted to inform you that Lung Health Checks have now gone live in Portland, Dorset.

The Targeted Lung Health Check (TLHC) programme will be rolled out across the whole of Dorset, in a phased approach. The first people to receive their invites, are those who are registered with Royal Manor Health Care in Portland. Lead Nurse for the programme in Dorset, Hana Spencely, has told us it has been a pleasure to see the programme successfully launch and feedback from patients so far, has been very positive.

Find out more about the Dorset Lung Health Check Programme on the Dorset County Hospital website.

UHS Prostate Health Test Service

The open access Prostate Health Test Service is available for practices to signpost their patients to if they wish. However can we ask that if you are compiling a search and messaging a group of patients please:

1. Ensure to exclude any patients with a PSA in the last 6 months and those who are on a cancer pathway or are still under the care of secondary care (UHS or other Trust).
2. Chunk these into manageable numbers to avoid a sudden influx of patients contacting the service and causing an onward waiting list.

If you would like to discuss this with anyone please contact Nicola.duffield1@nhs.net

PSA testing events

PCaSO (Prostate Cancer Support Organisation) are linking with the local Lyons Club and are running more of their popular PSA testing sessions in the community this year (see dates below). 

They work with PHU to analyse the results and return them to the man who has been tested to follow them up with their GP. You may find men arriving at the surgery with high results (these will be termed as Red) asking for a consultation with the GP.

As these are legitimate tests it makes sense to use these and appropriately refer on to secondary care. Find out more at their website. 

Hampshire:

Swanwick - Sat 18th Feb 2023 - RESULTS NOW AVAILABLE

Alton - Sat 18th Mar 2023, 10:00-14:45

Petersfield - Sat 15th Apr 2023, 10:00-14:45

Basingstoke - Sat 13th May 2023, 10:00-14:45

Fareham - Sat 17th Jun 2023, 10:00-14:45

Dorset:

None currently running

Cancer Matters Wessex and cancer messaging on practice websites and social media

Cancer Matters Wessex is our public-facing cancer information website serving the population of Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. It contains a wealth of relevant local information about support and services available for people affected by cancer, whether as a patient, carer, family member or friend.

Keith Withers, Digital Communications Lead, is meeting with teams at PCNs across the region (including Cancer Care Coordinators, Social Prescribers and Wellbeing Coaches) to promote awareness of Cancer Matters Wessex, and to talk about how Wessex Cancer Alliance can support with cancer messaging on practice websites and social media. You can also find out about the Cancer Care Map, a simple, free, online directory of cancer support services in your area.

If you would like to arrange a visit from Keith to your PCN, or an online meeting, please email keith.withers@nhs.net or phone 07500 226 215.

Video texting pilot launches in Dorset

A pilot project which aims to increase the uptake of cervical screening, has launched in four practices in Dorset. People registered with a participating GP Practice, who have not responded to their last screening invite, will be sent a text message from their GP Practice, encouraging them to book their cervical screening appointment. The message contains a video which explains what happens at a screening appointment and provides a link to the Cancer Matters Wessex website, where people can find out more information. The video link has a unique URL which enables us to track viewing numbers and clicks through to the website. It is hoped an increase in bookings will be seen in all participating practices who have also ensured they have appropriate appointment capacity to carry out these screenings within two days of a request being made. We will be monitoring this closely, with an evaluation of the pilot due to be published in April 2023.

Immunotherapy Late Effects project

Wessex Cancer Alliance successfully bid for a Health Education England funded short project (until the end of March 2023) centred on education around the late effects of immunotherapies and focusing on primary care/community teams’ awareness. Please see our website for further information on the project and other useful resources.

Reminder - FREE Cancer Study Days for Primary Care

Wessex Cancer Alliance have teamed up with GatewayC to run two FREE virtual study days, with each session tailored to support different clinicians within primary care. The study days will be split into short, accessible sessions, each covering several cancer-related topics.

Ask questions to your local cancer specialists and gain over 4 CPD credits.

More information about the days, and links to register, can be found here.