Every week, 225 people in West Yorkshire are diagnosed with cancer and 108 people will lose their lives each week.

Screening uptake for breast and cervical cancers is decreasing and only bowel screening is showing an increase.

Nearly one in two of us will get cancer at some time in our lives. We also know that around four in ten cancer cases in the UK each year could be prevented. * Cancer Research UK.

It’s a powerful argument for helping to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer – so people are better informed, attend screening and know where to go for help.

Our aim is to give people the information to catch cancer at an earlier stage, greatly improving the chances of survival.

Let’s Be Cancer SMART

It’s easy to be more aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer when you’re Cancer SMART.  Here we explain the message behind SMART.

Screening saves lives by prevention and early detection

There are currently only three national cancer screening programmes, with a fourth under development.  You must be registered with a GP to get an invite.

Screening can not only pick up cancer before it invades, but can also pick up cells that have started changing before they become cancer, or can identify types of tissue that are more likely to become cancer eg bowel polyps.  It is estimated that the three national screening programmes save around *10,000 lives each year.

Bowel – A small kit (called a FIT test) is sent by post every two years to an anyone aged between 54 – 74. The lower age limit is reducing and eventually anyone aged 50+ will be contacted. If you’re 75 or over, you can request a kit every two years by contacting the bowel cancer screening programme on 0800 707 6060.  The FIT test is easy to do, and requires one tiny sample of poo sending in the enclosed envelope.  Cancer Research UK have created a short animation to show you how to do it.  You can watch the video here.

Breast – The test, called a mammogram, involves taking an x-ray of the breast. An invitation is sent out to women/anyone with breasts aged between 50 – 70 every three years. You can still request an invitation after you turn 70, by contacting your GP or local screening centre. If you’re trans gender or non-binary, check with your GP or gender identity clinic if you have not received an invitation and think you should.

Cervical – This test is or anyone with a cervix, between 25-64 years old.  Samples are taken and tested for the HPV virus.  If high risk HPV is found, the lab will test the sample for cell changes.  If eligible, you will be invited three yearly for 25 – 49 year olds and five yearly for 50 – 64 year olds. If you’re trans gender or non-binary, check with your GP or gender identity clinic if you have not received an invitation and think you should.  It’s not compulsory, but could save your life.  Click here for a short animation by Cancer Research UK to help you decide,

Lung – A targeted lung cancer screening programme is being developed, but it will take some time to be fully introduced.  It will be offered to smokers and ex-smokers between the ages of 55 and 74, but full details aren’t currently available.

* Source Nuffield Trust.

Making cancer an everyday conversation

Talking about cancer is much more acceptable than it was 10 years ago, and the cancer diagnoses of King Charles III, the Princess of Wales, and Olympic champion cyclist Sir Chris Hoy have brought cancer into the spotlight and started conversations, whilst highlighting the fact that absolutely anyone can develop cancer.

Some cultures don’t like to talk about cancer though, and believe by doing so, it is ‘opening the door’ to cancer.

But not talking about something doesn’t help to get it diagnosed or cured, or make the problem go away.

If your roof was leaking but you ignored it, would the leak improve on it’s own? It’s likely that by delaying and ignoring the leak, you would face a bigger and more expensive problem to put right.

How much more important is your health? If you know something is wrong, it is best to get it checked out with your GP.

Early diagnosis is important – when a tumour is smaller, and the cancer is in fewer places, treatment is more likely to be successful.

If more cancers were diagnosed in the early stages, 27 lives could be saved each day – 10,000 per year.

So, let’s end the taboo and start talking about cancer.

Awareness of unusual and persistent changes

You can’t possibly know the signs and symptoms of all cancers, but you can know how your body usually feels.

Listen to your body, and if something doesn’t feel quite right, or won’t go away, go and talk to your doctor. If you can’t get to see your doctor, talk to the receptionist about the signs you think may indicate cancer. It may not be cancer, but it is wise to get it checked out.

Some signs are definitely not normal such as:

• Blood in poo
• Blood in urine
• Sudden unexplained weight loss

So make an appointment to see your GP.

Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you should check your body regularly for things that don’t feel right.  Get into the habit of checking your breasts, or testicles every month.  You can even sign up to get reminders sent to your phone, such as from Coppafeel or It’s On The Ball.

Reduce risk with a healthy active lifestyle

According to Cancer Research UK, four in ten cancer cases can be prevented.

Here are some of the things we can aim to do:

• Be smoke free ( you can get free help from Yorkshire Smokefree on 0330 660 1166)
• Keep a healthy weight – reduces the risk of 13 different types of cancer.  Click here to find out why your weight can affect your cancer risk.
• Be safe in the sun – and avoid sunbeds
• Drink less alcohol- alcohol causes seven types of cancer
• Eat a high fibre diet – eating foods such as wholegrains can reduce the risk of bowel cancer
• Cut down on processed food – the less processed and red meat you eat, the lower your risk
• Be more active – brisk walking, cycling and even housework can all count as ways to be active

Take action NOW against cancer

We often put things off that we don’t want to deal with now.

Putting things off until after the holidays or after a weekend.

Don’t put off prioritising your health.

If you are the main caregiver, don’t feel guilty about putting your health needs first. If you are poorly, who will look after your family? You can’t pour from an empty cup.

And you can help us help people in your community by spreading the word. Join us as a Cancer Champion or Digital Champion. We would love to hear from you. Contact info@yorkshirecancercommunity.co.uk

• Be more aware of symptoms of cancer / unusual body changes
• Feel more confident to visit their GP and discuss concerns
• Feel more encouraged to attend screening
• Be better informed about lifestyle choices to reduce their risk
• Will know where to get information and support