Today, NHS England has re-launched its ‘Reducing Cancer Barriers' and ‘Abdominal and urological symptoms of cancer’ phases of the ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign.
The campaign will run on TV, radio, press and social media and will encourage people to contact their GP practice if they experience signs of cancer, including abdominal and urological symptoms, for three weeks or more.
It will target men and women over the age of 50 and seek to address the key barriers to people seeking help, the fear around cancer diagnosis and the importance of body awareness when it comes to bodily changes that could be a sign of cancer.
A range of resources supporting the campaign are available to use, including posters and digital screens for patient waiting rooms and community settings. These can be downloaded free of charge from the Campaign Resource Centre: Reducing Cancer Barriers and Abdominal and Urological Symptoms of Cancer
In a recent survey1, just one in three respondents (35%) recognised tummy trouble, such as discomfort or diarrhoea, for three weeks or more as a potential sign of cancer. Only half of respondents recognised unexplained or unexpected bleeding (such as bleeding from your bottom or blood when you cough or in your vomit) as a potential sign of cancer. And more than half (55%) did not recognise blood in your pee, even just once, as a potential sign of cancer.
-ends-
1. The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,000 adults in England, aged 18+ (with representation from South Asian and Black communities). The data was collected between 27.11.2024 – 02.12.2024.