A number of local organisations are lending support to the North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus cancer collaborative teams to help raise awareness of the screening programmes offered by the NHS.
The collaborative teams have been actively working in all areas of North East Lincolnshire raising awareness of the NHS cervical and bowel screening programmes, with a particular focus on trying to encourage people who have not already attended their screening appointments or completed their bowel screening kit to do so.
Community pharmacies agreed to distribute promotional cards about bowel screening with all prescriptions dispensed for people aged 60 to 70. Currently screening is available for people aged between 60 and 69.
Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer after lung cancer, claiming 50 lives every day. However, it is estimated that around 90 per cent of cases could be treated successfully if caught early enough.
North East Lincolnshire Council has also agreed to work with the collaborative programme and display key messages for the local community at the main council offices.
Links have also been made with care homes and pharmacy settings to raise awareness of the cervical screening programme.
The cancer collaborative programme will also be working with the health trainer service to raise awareness of the NHS screening programmes, especially if people have concerns about attending their appointments.
Julie Grimmer, cancer project manager for the CTP, said: “It is great that we are getting so much support from local organisations.
“Screening is important to help identify the early signs and symptoms of cancer so getting the message out to people as many people as possible is key.
“We are extremely grateful for all the help and support that we have received so far and hope to continue with these successful partnerships and build our links with the local community.”
Anyone wanting further information about the cancer collaborative can ring Julie Grimmer on (01472) 232261 or email julie.grimmer@nelctp.nhs.uk