lines Avoiding cancer, detecting cancer early Patient, Carers and Public forum April 2015 Summary of Feedback Prevention and early detection of cancer in Kingston Kingston CCG and Public Health services in the local authority are working jointly to improve approaches to prevention and early detection of cancer for the people of Kingston. The aim is to ensure people have access to information, advice, screening and other services that will lower their risk of a diagnosis of cancer or that if cancer is diagnosed; it is found at an early enough stage, which makes it more treatable. In April 2015 we held a Forum meeting to hear the views of service users and members of the public to help us shape cancer prevention and early detection services. We would like to thank everyone who participated. We value every opinion and took care to ensure that all views were recorded and carefully considered. What did people tell us at the Forum? You can read a summary of the ideas, issues and suggestions raised below. Please note this is a summary, which sets out some of the major themes and suggestions that emerged from the event rather than a detailed record of the conversations that took place.
All the contributions made at the event will help us improve cancer prevention and early detection services so that it can meet the health needs of people now and in the future. What has happened since you gave this feedback? Although we do not promise that everyone s suggestions are included in this summary, please be reassured that all suggestions have been considered. The feedback received at the April Forum was given to the Public Health team and the hospital representatives, who are involved in cancer prevention and early detection. This includes a local Hospital Consultant, Nurse Specialist, Public Health specialists, CCG commissioners, GPs and other professionals. Many of that team were at the Forum facilitating the discussions during the workshop. Their statement of response on how they plan to use your feedback is summarised on page 5 of this document. What you told us 1) How can Public Health and NHS services better help you prevent cancer or detect it early? Patients need better understanding around risk factors of the causation of cancer School education (health/diet/nutrition) + Domestic science Social media = public awareness of diet, nutrition and lifestyle choices More focussed questioning and more lifestyle questioning from health care professionals More awareness from friends and family Positive public awareness campaigns especially for bowel cancer Ensuring that a patient has the same doctor consistently over a number of years (stability + stable housing) Organised discussion groups for people to chat together about their health problems are needed Health checks opportunities to talk about cancer prevention 2
GP surgery to talk to people who are isolated Educate carers about signs Check uptake of screening among BME communities then perhaps target specific communities How to talk about cancer GPs to empower people to come back and see them if symptoms persist Access to GPs Make patients aware of symptoms Holistic care by GP (enough time needed) Follow up by GP and patient if symptoms uncertain GPs to be alert to other possible problems Other professionals (eg dentists or opticians) to work with GPs and to alert patients to need for check-ups Doctors to be prepared to ask advice of colleagues and to work with them Improvement needed to referral system and speed of referrals Ban smoking Information & Education Posters o Ad campaigns o Local health check Take the fear out of screening Put a positive message behind screening campaigns Opportunistic health promotion in public places Involve voluntary organisations Health promotion benefits should be more holistic so lay persons can relate 2) What can you do to prevent cancer or detect it early? Check out family history. Statistically what are your family members chances of getting a particular type of cancer Lack of time (readymade meals, children not enough attention, stress) Improve poverty and environmental conditions 3
Easy and quick access to health professional for check ups Lifestyle information supplied by supermarkets Support your local vegetable market/grocer Exercise/drink in moderation/eat healthily Always have an excuse not to do it Overcome challenges of detection by: o Information o Talking to friends/relatives/carers o Going to GP and going back o Be a cancer advocate o Patient groups Don t smoke Don t drink too much Don t each too much red meat Exercise more Go for check-ups and screening Be vigilant if symptoms appear Make roads safer for cyclists Encourage dog ownership (for walking) Improve lifestyle down to the individual Improved psychological wellbeing motivates you to have better lifestyle Awareness to avoid triggers Raise awareness in the younger generation 4
Response to feedback from cancer workshop Thank you very much to those who attended and for the invaluable feedback. Our speakers, myself included, thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and took back many learning points via the comments, questions and discussion from the evening. We are keen to incorporate the feedback and use it to shape the cancer care agenda moving forwards and I am pleased to say we are already working on some high priority areas. Below are some of the current and proposed work streams. Our actions as relates to your feedback and views: Improving education for the public and for healthcare professionals. We have a number of upcoming educational events for local healthcare professional (Doctors, Nurses and Practice Managers). These will address: 1) the factors influencing early detection and appropriate and timely referrals. We will also be looking closely at how we are performing locally and at practice level. With regards to public education we continue to work with public health to support the public s Be clear on cancer campaigns however we take on board the feedback that campaigns could be more holistic, positive and delivered using different forums to reach a wider audience. It is also evident from the feedback that knowledge about general lifestyle advice and social support is vitally important in preventing cancer but also empowering people to present their symptoms early. We will raise this at the next locality meeting and discuss how this can be encouraged. Kingston CCG has recently recruited a new GP lead working under Macmillan cancer support who will: 1) take forward the education agenda for the public and GPs, 2) concentrate on up-skilling General Practice to help support them to achieve earlier cancer diagnosis and timely referrals. 5
Screening is a vital tool in the early detection of cancer and we will be looking at ways to improve screening rates locally. We are also working hard to improve access to General Practitioners, timely and efficient referral pathways, improved communication between primary and secondary care and speedy diagnosis and management in hospital. Our local cancer leads from primary care, public health and secondary care meet regularly to discuss inefficiencies within the system and have identified a number of key areas that will hopefully improve local cancer outcomes and patient experience. Again, we are grateful for the contributions and endeavour to work together to prevent cancer, detect it sooner and improve patient experience and outcomes throughout treatment. Dr Atin Goel Clinical lead for cancer Kingston CCG 6