Cancer

Do you know if you have a family history of prostate cancer? Finding out could save your life.

1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer. If you are over 45, or you are black, or a member of your family has had it, you are at even higher risk..

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the UK. However, it is not always life threatening if detected early. Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs for many years. The earlier it is detected the more likely it can be treated.

Most men with early prostate cancer don’t have any signs or symptoms. The earlier it is diagnosed the more chance of successful treatment. That's why it's important to know your risk.

The risk factors:

• Being male, over 45
• Having black or mixed black ethnicity
• Having a family history of prostate cancer (father or brother)

Black men are more likely to get prostate cancer than other men. In the UK, about 1 in 4 black men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime.

The prostate is a small gland in the pelvis and is part of the male reproductive system. About the size of a walnut, it’s located between the penis and the bladder, and surrounds the urethra.

When looking at ways to detect prostate cancer, there is a blood test called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. The test measures the level of PSA and may help detect early prostate cancer. If you have 2 out of the 3 factors listed above speak to your GP.

Find out more - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/

Trouble swallowing, persistent indigestion or heartburn, unintentional weight loss? These are all symptoms that could indicate oesophageal cancer

Oesophageal cancer is aggressive, and outcomes can be improved if caught early.

Oesophageal cancer is found in the oesophagus, sometimes called the gullet or food pipe. The wall of the oesophagus is made of several layers of tissue. These include the inner layer (mucosa), muscle, and connective tissue. Oesophageal cancer starts in the inner lining of the oesophagus and spreads outward through the other layers.

Knowing which symptoms to look out for means that the cancer can be caught and treated as quickly and effectively as possible. The most common symptoms are:

• having problems swallowing (dysphagia)
• feeling or being sick
• heartburn or acid reflux
• symptoms of indigestion
• loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to.

If you have another condition, such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, you may get symptoms like these regularly, but you should contact your GP if these symptoms change or get worse.

Around 9,300 people are diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the UK each year. It is more common in men than women and the chances of developing the cancer increase with age.

Oesophageal cancer can affect anyone, but you are more at risk if you are:

• Aged 55+
• Drink alcohol or smoke heavily
• Are very overweight
• Have a medical condition that affects your oesophagus

If you are experiencing the symptoms listed above, you should contact your GP. They can assess you and arrange additional tests or a referral if needed. Having these symptoms does not mean you have cancer, but it is advisable to get them checked.

Detecting oesophageal cancer sooner can make it easier to treat. If you have symptoms you are concerned about, please contact your GP practice. #ClearOnCancer

Find out more - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/oesophageal-cancer/

Lung cancer awareness month

Do you know the symptoms of lung cancer? Don’t ignore symptoms that could indicate that you have lung cancer. Contact your GP practice. 

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout the month we want to raise awareness of symptoms that could indicate lung cancer, and encourage anyone with symptoms to contact their GP practice.

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in England and is the biggest cause of cancer death. The risk of getting lung cancer increases with age and most people who are diagnosed are aged 55 or older.  

Approximately 28,100 people die from lung cancer in England each year, and over 57% of lung cancer patients in the UK are still diagnosed too late for curative treatment.

Though more common in those with a smoking history, around 15% of lung cancers are diagnosed in people who have never smoked.

Symptoms of lung cancer include:

• A persistent cough
• Persistent breathlessness
• Chest infections that keep coming back
• An ache or pain when breathing or coughing

Lung cancer symptoms can also be vague, and include fatigue, weight loss and loss of appetite.

Many of these symptoms can also be caused by other medical conditions. However, finding lung cancer sooner can make it easier to treat. If you have symptoms you are concerned about, please contact your GP practice. #ClearOnCancer

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

If you receive an NHS breast screening invitation, please respond as soon as possible. Screening saves lives.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout the month we want to encourage women to attend their breast screening or remind them to book an appointment if they have been invited.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK. Most women diagnosed with breast cancer are over the age of 50, but younger women can also get breast cancer. As the risk of breast cancer increases with age, all women who are 50 to 70 years old are invited for breast cancer screening every 3 years.

Women over the age of 70 are also entitled to screening and can arrange an appointment through their GP or local screening unit.

Find breast cancer screening services near you

Breast screening or mammographic screening is when X-ray images of the breast are taken and is the most common way of finding any abnormal changes in your breast tissue at an early stage. If cancer is detected at an early stage, it can be treated before it spreads to other parts of the body.

Find out more about breast cancer screening.

About one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. There's a good chance of recovery if it's detected at an early stage.

For this reason, it's vital that women check their breasts regularly for any changes and always have any changes examined by a GP.

Finding cancer early can make it more treatable. #ClearOnCancer

Gynaecological Awareness Month

Don’t ignore potential symptoms of Gynaecological Cancers.
Contact your GP practice.

September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout the month we want to highlight and make women aware of symptoms that could be a sign of cancer. It is so important not to ignore them and to contact your GP.  

There are five gynaecological or women’s cancers: womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal, which together affect 22,000 women each year in the UK.
You can find out more about women’s cancers here.

This month we are focusing on the signs and symptoms of ovarian and womb cancers – to raise their profile and support early diagnosis.

Ovarian cancer affects the 2 small organs (ovaries) that store the eggs needed for fertilisation. Anyone with ovaries can get ovarian cancer, but it mostly affects those over 50. Sometimes ovarian cancer can run in families.

There are around 7,500 new ovarian cancer cases in the UK each year, that's 21 every day.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer include having persistent bloating or a swollen tummy, frequently feeling full quickly after eating or having no appetite, persistent pain in your lower tummy, or needing to pee more urgently or more often than usual.

Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed late, but early diagnosis can mean it is more treatable. This is why if you notice any of these symptoms it is so important that you contact your GP practice.

More information on ovarian cancer can be found here.

Cancer of the womb (uterus) is the most common gynaecological cancer in the UK for women.

There are around 9,700 new womb cancer cases in the UK every year, that's 27 every day. More information about womb cancer can be found here.

The main symptoms include: bleeding or spotting from the vagina after the menopause, heavy periods that are unusual for you, bleeding between your periods, and a change to your vaginal discharge.

If you are worried about any of these symptoms contact your GP practice.

Finding cancer early can make it more treatable. #ClearOnCancer

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

Cancer Won’t Wait. Screening saves lives, are you up to date?

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and we are encouraging 56 and over 60 year olds to participate in bowel screening as part of the National Age Extension Campaign for bowel screening.

Every 15 minutes somebody is diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK and it is one of the most common types of cancers diagnosed in the UK. Previously bowel screening kits have been available for anyone over the age of 60 years. Last year in April 2021, 56 year olds were invited to take part in screening and eventually everyone between the ages of 50 and 74 will be invited to take part.
Screening aims to detect bowel cancer at an early stage and when treatment has the best chance of being successful.  

Bowel Cancer screening is done at home, the kit which includes simple instructions is sent in the post and test results arrive back in the post within 2 weeks. If you would like the NHS to send you a testing kit call the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.

If you are worried about a family history of bowel cancer or have any symptoms speak to a GP for advice. 

Cancer won’t wait. Screening saves lives, are you up to date?

New campaign launches in NW London called ‘Cancer Won’t Wait’

We have launched a new campaign across North West London called ‘Cancer won’t wait’.

Since the start of the pandemic the number of people taking up screening appointments and attending their referral appointments has markedly dropped.

We are asking people to come forward for screening when invited and to speak to their GP if they notice any unusual changes in their body without delay.

Dr Abhijit Singh Gill, Hammersmith and Fulham GP and Cancer Lead for NHS NW London Clinical Commissioning Group explains “Coronavirus has of course been a huge health concern for everyone this past year, and we have noticed that people are less likely to present to their GP with health concerns.  When it comes to cancer, it is important that people come to us early, so every effort is made to help them as quickly as possible".

“GPs are very busy but we are not too busy for our patients. If you have noticed something about your body that’s not normal for you, or are worried about any symptoms, please speak to your GP. Please also take up that screening”

Whether you or a loved one has a routine appointment, or a potential cancer symptom, our message is clear – you are not a burden, we are here to safely care for you so please don't delay, come forward as you usually would. Cancer won’t wait and we can see you safely”.

NHS staff have pulled out all the stops to keep cancer services going throughout the pandemic.

With thanks to staff at West Middlesex Hospital who have supported the campaign, featuring on posters, videos and social media.