The second Service Requirement of the PCN DES 22/23 advises that PCN agree their contribution in Improving uptake in cervical and bowel NHS Cancer Screening Programmes (working with partners) and look at:
- Increasing follow up on non-responders to invitations
- Build on existing actions across PCN practices
- Including at least one specific action to engage a group with low participation locally
The cancer alliance has worked collaboratively with colleagues at the Office for Health Improvement & Disparities (OHID) and promoting the following which will support key aspects of the PCN DES:
- Cervical Screening Top Tips here
- Targeting the 56 year old population for the extended bowel screening programme. Practices can find further information here
In addition to 56 year olds who have already been brought into the programme, individuals aged 58 across Cheshire and Merseyside are now eligible for Bowel Cancer Screening and will receive their first FIT test kit over the forthcoming year and before April 2023. Practices can find further information here
- People living with learning disabilities: easy-read leaflets and promotional videos. Photo stories can also be used for patients who are unable to read English or have low literacy.
- People living with physical disabilities: may need reasonable adjustments. British Sign Language videos about screening from Public Health Scotland. Specific information on making cervical screening accessible.
- People living will mental illness: more info in this PHE Health Matters blog. A leaflet and a video on cervical screening for people with mental health issues/previous trauma.
- Trans and gender diverse populations: Trans men assigned as female at birth who have a cervix and/or breasts should still be invited to screening, but can be missed if they are listed as “male” at the GP. More information here.
- BAME groups: a video on cervical screening aimed at low literacy/BAME groups. Phone calls provided by a local charity to breast and bowel non-responders have been found to be useful in some BAME groups
Bowel Screening Awareness Campaign
CMCA has been running an awareness campaign to promote bowel cancer screening within South Asian communities in targeted areas of Liverpool.
The campaign uses narrated videos and quote cards to urge people from these communities to do the FIT test when they receive one.
There is a toolkit with information, promotional material and links to the videos which can be used by PCNs, GP practices, community organisations and individuals.
Website and information to promote screening
A website is available to support primary care professionals in starting conversations about screening for breast, bowel and cervical cancers.
CMCA has supported the creation of the Early Detect, Early Protect website for Cheshire and Merseyside which promotes relaxed conversations about cancer screening, how it works and how important it is in finding cancer early, Champs Public Health Collaborative, led by the nine Directors of Public Health and CMCA, has created the website, which you can see here: https://earlydetectearlyprotect-nhs.co.uk/
With a detailed information toolkit and range of promotional resources, the website aims to educate and empower primary care professionals so they can start more early conversations about screening.