A public communication campaign to raise awareness signs and symptoms of bowel
cancer and encourage people to go to their GP if they experience symptoms will
run in specific areas across YCN during November. The campaign, supported by
Public Health Leads, GP Awareness and Early Diagnosis Leads and local hospitals aims to:
Get people with specified signs and symptoms that may be suggestive of bowel cancer to
go and see their GP. The materials tell people to go to their GP if they have
experienced one of the key symptoms of bowel cancer - blood in poo or loose
poo for 3 or more weeks
The campaign will target men and women over 50, those from more deprived
communities and black and minority ethnic communities.
The local initiative has been scheduled to run during September - December 2011
and there are two strands:
a time limited public awareness media campaign through local radio, to raise
awareness of bowel cancer signs and symptoms and
a programme of community based 'face to face' awareness activity that
runs throughout September- December.
Community champions have been recruited and trained to deliver a range of
community activities and events and talk to local residents, community
groups, friends, family and neighbors to help communicate the importance
of early diagnosis.
Over 90 Community Champions are now on board to deliver bowel cancer
information, advice and support to local residents. These Champions
have no clinical training but are trusted voices within the community
who can reach and reassure the target groups. They're involved in events
which include organised talks at places of worship, community centres,
over 50s clubs and other key community contact points. Leaflets, posters
and symptom cards will be delivered to key community venues and to the
homes of the over 50s in the target areas.
The Hub (the agency commissioned to deliver the programme) and PCTs have
worked with local GPs and Pharmacists in the target areas to alert them to
this campaign and to ensure they are aware and willing to support people
who present for advice and may require referral for further investigation.
We have updated clinicians and managers on the progress of this local bowel cancer
awareness campaign to ensure they are aware of the activity and are able to
receive and process any referrals. The target areas, identified by PCTs are:
The YCN with PCTs have commissioned an experienced agency 'The Hub' to deliver
this initiative on our behalf. The PCTs have agreed to target this initiative
in specific locations and populations, to test this approach and
evaluate its impact.
