Prevention and Early Diagnosis of Cancer

Ongar Health Centre

Patient Forum

7th March 2018

Sue White
Cancer Research UK Facilitator
Quiz
What is the main risk factor
for cancer?
A: Smoking
B: Being older
C: Family history
D: Drinking alcohol
E: Using deodorants
 We have clear aims for early diagnosis
At the moment:
• 50% of cancer patients survive for 10
years
• By 2034 we want to see this increase to
75%
• Diagnosing people earlier will help
achieve this
• Aim to have 3 in 4 people
diagnosed at stage I and II by 2034
Cancer Statistics for the UK

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics
 What is Screening?

• It targets a specific population or group of people

• It is like a filter
• Most people are unlikely to have the condition and will pass through the filter (screening
test)
• People whose results suggest they are more likely to have it are caught in the filter - they
need further tests to determine if they really do have the condition
Why is screening important?
Screening reduces mortality
• It can detect cancer at an early stage

• 88% of cancers detected through

screening are at an early stage
(stage I and II)
Breast screening: mammography
• For women aged between 50 and 70
years, who are registered with a GP
• Test is a mammogram – 2 x-rays of
each breast
• Carried out at special clinics or
mobile breast screening units
• Self-referral over 70
 Breast Screening

National
Target
Over 70%

Ongar Health Centre

73.8%

http://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/cancerservices
Cervical screening aims to prevent cancer
• It is NOT a test to find cancer. It is a test to
detect changes to the cells of the cervix that
may develop into cancer in the future
• Women from 25-64, who are registered with a
GP are eligible for cervical screening.
• Women aged 25-49 are invited every 3 years.
After that, women are invited every 5 years until
the age of 64
 Cervical Screening

National
Target
Over 80%

Ongar Health Centre

78.5%

http://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/cancerservices
Bowel Screening
Bowel Cancer Screening
• Men and women aged between 60-74 are invited every
2 years.
• Must be registered with a GP practice to receive
invitation
• Anyone over 74 can request a kit by calling
0800 707 6060

• Screening kit completed at home and sent to the hub

• The screening hub analyses the kit

• The test detects tiny amounts of blood in the sample of poo, which can’t
be seen by the eye
• The test does not diagnose bowel cancer
 Bowel Screening

National
Target
Over 60%

Ongar Health Centre

60.8%

http://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/cancerservices
Cancer screening programmes
Cervical screening
Women aged 25 to 64 in England
Every 3 years up to age 49, then every 5 years
Bowel screening
Men and women aged 60 to 74 invites up to 75
Every 2 years. Men and women over 74 can request screening
Kit received in post, 6 stool samples needed
Contact number for patients to request a kit
0800 707 6060
Breast screening
Women aged 50 to 70
Every 3 years
Women over 70 can request screening
West Essex Breast Screening Service 01279 827046
Prostate Cancer
Overall the evidence shows that offering
PSA screening to men does not save any
lives from prostate cancer

PSA testing can also cause harms:

• Over diagnosis of cancers which
would not have caused any harm
• Overtreatment of cancers
• Side effects from unnecessary
treatment
 Inconvenient
No time/busy appointment Didn’t get an
Cultural invitation letter
issues time

Barriers to Don’t
Fear of pain
Screening understand
the test

Not sure who

Think they are Worried to call to
low risk about finding Embarrassment rearrange
cancer appointment
Key points
• Diagnosing cancer earlier will give more patients the option of potentially
curative treatments and an improved experience

• Screening reduces the number of people dying from cancer and in some
cases, can prevent cancer from developing

• Lifestyle changes can really make a difference, and not just for cancer
Thank you!

Sue White
07979915472
sue.white@cancer.org.uk
cruk.org/facilitators