HEALTH & BEAUTY Don’t let cancer become
the forgotten ‘C’ during this pandemic
Coronavirus has dominated the news as the number one health topic this year. As serious as Covid-19 is, we mustn’t lose sight of other major health conditions; a significant reduction in theearly diagnosis of cancers is a major concern.
Since the start of the pandemic, the team at Be Cancer SAFE, a social movement in health initiative commissioned by Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group, have continued to sharevital health messages with local communities in the Rotherham area. The NHS is expecting a rise in people diagnosed with cancer, some at a late stage. These are people that may not have wanted to visittheir GP with signs or symptoms of the disease during the pandemic. Dr Jason Page, the Macmillan GP for Rotherham, hasamessage for people who may be concerned about signs and symptoms of cancer: ‘HelpUsHelpYou’
“Don’t wait! If you’re concerned about anything, even if it seems unimportant, please getin touch with your GP practice.
We’ll work with you to safely
investigate your concerns, the sooner we can treat cancer the better the outcome. We can’tlet cancer become the forgotten ‘C’ during this pandemic.”
Early detection is the best way to improve survival rates. The longer cancer goes undetected, the greater the chancesof a negative outcome. Taking part in screening programmes, knowing your normal, and being aware of any unexplained changes to your body could save your life.
The pandemic continues to affect cancer screening programmes, but it is important to be aware of what screening is available to you and to take part when it is offered.
Bowel Screening - FIT Test
Screening is offered every two years to men and women aged 60 to 74 who are registered with a GP. People aged 75 and older can opt in and continue to be screened. If you think you are overdue, have missed a test or would like to opt in, please contact the Bowel Cancer Screening Helpline on 0800 707 60 60 You should contact your GP if you notice any of the following: • Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo
• A persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit • Unexplained weight loss • Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
• A pain or lump in your tummy Further information:
www.cancerresearchuk.org/ about-cancer/bowel-cancer
www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk
Breast Screening -Mammogram
About one in seven women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. If it is detected early, treatment is more successful and there is a good chance of recovery. As the likelihood of getting breast cancer increases with age, women aged 50 to 70 who are registered with a GP are invited for breast screening every three years. People aged 71 and older can opt in to continue to be screened. If you think you areoverdue, have missed a mammogram, or would like to opt in, please contact the Rotherham Breast Screening Unit on 01709 424807. You should contact your GP if you notice any of the following: • A new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast
• A change in shape or size of one or both breasts
• Dimpling on the skin of your breasts
• A rash on or around the nipple or a discharge of fluid from either nipple • A lump or swelling in the armpits
• A change of appearance of the nipple, such as sinking into the breast Further information:
www.breastcancernow.org www.coppafeel.org
Cervical Screening - Smear Test
All women and people with a
cervix aged between 25 and 64 who are registered with a GP will be invited to attend a screening appointment. This is every three years if you are 25-49 and every five years if you’re 49-64.
If you think you are overdue, but
have not been sent an invite, or have missed an appointment, please contact your GP Practice. You should contact your GP if you notice any of the following: • Bleeding during or after sex • Bleeding between periods • Any bleeding after you have been through the menopause Further information:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/ cervical-cancer
www.jostrust.org.uk
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer butthere is no screening programme. As Covid-19 is also a respiratory illness, you should contact your GP if you have a symptom that might be caused by cancer.
If you have a new continuous cough, it is important to tell your GP everything about it; they will tell you if you need to go in to see them. There are usually no signs or symptoms in the early stages of lung cancer, but many people with the condition eventually develop symptoms including:
• A persistent cough, lasting more than 2/3 weeks • Coughing up blood • Persistent breathlessness • Unexplained tiredness or weight loss
• Aches or pains when breathing Further information:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/ lung-cancer
Prostate Cancer In the UK, about one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. There is no screening programme, but the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test may help detect early prostate cancer.
There are three main risk factors for getting prostate cancer, which are things you can’t change; getting older (it mainly affects men aged 50 or over), having a family history of prostate cancer or having a Black or Afro-Caribbean background. If you have any of these risk factors or any symptoms, you should contact your GP:
• Difficulty starting to urinate or emptying your bladder • A weak flow when you urinate • A feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied properly
• Dribbling urine after you finish urinating
• Needing to urinate more often than usual, especially at night • A sudden need to urinate - you may sometimes leak urine before you get to the toilet Further information:
www.prostatecanceruk.org
If you develop any of the above signs or symptoms that don’t go away after a few weeks, this doesn’t mean you have cancer, but they shouldn’t be ignored. You should make an appointment with your GP as soon as you can and get them checked. We know that Covid can be an additional barrier to taking this step. If you have been screened or acted on symptoms during the pandemic and would like to share your experience to encourage others, please contact the team:
jo.farey@varotherham.org.uk.
You can also follow the Be Cancer SAFE Project on Facebook and Twitter:
www.facebook.com/ BeCancerSafeRB
twitter.com/BeCancerSafe_RB Twitter @BeCancerSafe_RB
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