World Cancer Day – 4 February 2021

The CCG’s Cancer team highlight some key cancer initiatives…

As mentioned by Iolanda Cuomo and Emma Harnett at this week’s staff briefing, today (Thursday 4 February) is World Cancer Day.

With this in mind, our Cancer team highlight some of the key cancer initiatives happening in West Essex CCG.

• Educational cancer events
• Cancer Conference
• Cancer screening project
• One Step at a Time
• Macmillan Information Services

Educational cancer events, new dates added…

Following their success, the Cancer team will be running a programme of cancer training events throughout 2021.

These sessions have been developed by Dr Sara Astbury (Macmillan GP and GP Associate Advisor for Essex) and Emma Harnett (Macmillan Primary Care Nurse Facilitator).

They are aimed at anyone with an interest in cancer; patients, healthcare professionals and staff. These invaluable interactive events will provide practical advice, signpost red flags, screening and patient services.

If you would like to run an event or require further information, contact Emma Harnett.

Save the date! Cancer Conference – 29 September 2021

Date: Wednesday 29 September 2021
Time: 10am to 4pm
Location: Harlow Education Consortium

Aimed at the public, professionals and students, the Cancer Conference provides an opportunity to:

• hear from leading cancer experts – Kay Gamble, NHS Cancer Programme’s Engagement Manager has been confirmed as one of the keynote speakers
• learn about new developments
• network with your peers.

Watch this space for more information!

New initiative – Cancer screening project

With cancer screening and early diagnosis high on the agenda, the CCG is proud to be piloting a new initiative.

A team of professionals from healthcare, project management and communications have joined forces to deliver cancer prevention projects.

Their first project will focus on Cancer screening. The team will develop and deliver improvement strategies, which can be measured and replicated.

For more information, contact Iolanda Cuomo, Cancer Campaign Manager.

Putting patient’s first – One Step at a Time

One Step at a Time was set up by:

• Ann Nutt – Princess Alexandra Hospital’s (PAH’s) Patient Panel Chair
• Emma Harnett – Macmillan Primary Care Nurse Facilitator
• Shahid Sardar – Assistant Director Patient Engagement at PAH

One Step at a Time puts cancer patients, front and centre, offering a valued support network that looks at cancer diagnosis through their eyes.

To mark its launch, One Step at a Time produced a powerful and thought provoking campaign that shares the first hand experiences of a cancer patient in her own words.

Depicted in both video and written formats, the campaign provides an honest and open account of what it’s like to have cancer. From the shock of receiving their diagnosis to the realism of telling friends and family. From their treatment plan to its side effects.

This campaign goes on to highlight the importance to pause and just take one day at a time.

So far, the campaign has been well received. Campaign materials, such as the leaflet and animated video will also shortly be available in five additional languages. Contact Iolanda if you would like a copy of the leaflet.

The One Step at a Time videos are available on YouTube or you can watch them below.

For professionals – a cancer diagnosis through the eyes of a patient

For public – animated video on a patient’s perspective on cancer

Macmillan Information Services

If you, or anyone you know, has been affected by cancer and needs support, visit the Cancer support page on EPUT’s website.