With winter on the way we have lots of exciting things in store at Answer Cancer. I hope this October update gives you some ideas for things to do and think about while watching the wind and rain. Enjoy the links, news and information.
Newsletter Highlights
• Book onto our range of training sessions up until Christmas 2024.
• Answer Cancer Champions Appreciation Event 2024
• Looks Like Us video
• NHS Cancer Screening Programme Update
• Muslim cancer support at Maggie’s
• Become a digital Answer Cancer Champion
• Cancer screening programme update
• Breaking down barriers
• Who’s pledged to Bee Seen, Get Screened?
• Join the GM Cancer & Inequalities Network
• Register for our Stakeholder Collaborative/Get Together
• Answer Cancer Year 5 Impact Report
• Jo’s Trust closure
Upcoming Training & Events
Free training sessions from Answer Cancer, the Greater Manchester Cancer Screening Engagement Programme! Different dates and times are available to suit you. We are now offering training through a mixture of online and face-to-face sessions, so please make note when signing up!
You need to register in advance to attend the sessions, but you can join as many sessions as you like. For a list of courses and register, please click here.
Courses provided by other organisations
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Talk Cancer CoursesThe 2024 dates for Cancer Research UK Talk Cancer and Train the Delivered by nurse trainers, these online, interactive workshops give • How to reduce the risk of cancer If you promote health and wellbeing in your community, the Talk Cancer |
Answer Cancer Champions Appreciation Event 2024
Thank you to all the fabulous Answer Cancer Champions who attended our Champions Appreciation Event on the 10th October.
It was great to hear from our Grant Funded projects, Bee Seen Get Screened pledgers and Individual Champions about the ways in which they are sharing cancer screening messages. Participants were able to discuss how they might be able to incorporate some of these ideas into their own work.
We launched our Looks Like Us video which is well worth a view. Click on the picture below to view. Please do use it and share it.
Looks Like Us – Why is early screening so important? – Answer Cancer
We were also treated to a fabulous performance by the Manchester Wellbeing Cancer Choir who showed us all how we can boost our immune systems and enhance our general wellbeing through the power of song and togetherness.
Well done everyone for making this such a memorable event.
Muslim Cancer Support at Maggie’s
A new cancer support group for Greater Manchester’s Muslim community is launching this Autumn.
The group has been set up by Maggie’s, supported by The Christie, with a brother’s group for men taking place on 7th November from 3-4:30pm and the sisters’ support group on 21st November from 3-4:30pm at Maggie’s in Manchester, located opposite The Christie, on Kinnaird Road, Withington.
The Muslim Cancer Support Group is for anybody from Greater Manchester and the surrounding area who is Muslim and is living with cancer, as well as their family and friends.
Members of the groups will have the opportunity to speak to experts and receive support and information, find out more about the services on offer at Maggie’s as well as meet staff from The Christie to find out about potential research opportunities.
A co-creation committee of staff from Maggie’s and Muslim NHS colleagues have supported with forming the group and ensuring the communications were appropriate for the audience. Maggie’s strapline has been changed to read “The Ummah’s home of cancer care”, which in Islam means a community of Muslims.
Robin Muir, Centre Head at Maggie’s Manchester, said: “We’re really excited to be launching the Muslim Cancer Support Group. Maggie’s is open to anyone and everyone from the Muslim community, with support given by experts in an inclusive, safe and non-judgemental environment.
“We will be running our groups alongside expert NHS colleagues from the Muslim community and ask for your support to encourage people to attend.
“Whatever kind of cancer and whatever stage you are at, we’re here with you.”
Shahfaz Saeed, Patient Experience Manager for the Research and Innovation division at The Christie, said: “This is a much needed and excellent piece of work. We have brought together some key individuals within the Muslim Community from across Greater Manchester to join forces and have built new relationships to develop the group, which has been created by the people for the people. The Muslim Cancer Support Group has the potential to be a real gem within the Muslim Community.”
Umaymah Nisar, a breast cancer nurse at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, said: “As a clinical nurse specialist I am passionate about supporting people going through cancer treatment, as well as their family and friends. There are gaps in support, especially for minority groups, it is therefore, my privilege to be part of the Muslim Cancer Group.
“Being a Muslim myself and understanding the culture, I want to meet the needs of that community by supporting conversations and building a cancer support network. This group is a unique way to reach out to a community in need, where experiences can be shared in a safe, supportive environment.”
Find out more
Become a digital Answer Cancer Champion
One of the easiest ways to support Answer Cancer is by following us on social media and liking and sharing our posts. this ensures that we get the best reach possible for our messages. Use the QR codes below to access all our social media platforms and….
GET CLICKING!
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NHS Cancer Screening Programme update Hi, I’m Claire Butterworth, a Screening and Immunisation Co-ordinator from the Greater Manchester Screening and immunisation team. I’m a qualified Nurse and Health Visitor and work alongside Answer Cancer to increase uptake of cancer screening programmes across Greater Manchester. Here’s a brief update on the 3 national Cancer Screening Programmes.Click for more info |
Bowel Cancer Screening
In Greater Manchester the bowel cancer screening programme is currently available to everyone aged 52-74 years. From March 2025 it should also be available to 50 year olds. The test is a home test kit called Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT). You collect a small sample of poo which you send to the lab and is tested for blood. You should receive your results within 2 weeks. Either you will need no further tests or you will be invited for a colonoscopy if blood was found in your poo. Prior to a colonoscopy you will be invited to speak with a nurse. Patients are invited to participate in bowel cancer screening every 2 years until they reach age 74 years.
People aged over 74 years can request a screening kit every 2 years by calling the helpline on 0800 7076060.
There is currently a 6 month pilot of an adaptation to the FIT test which helps visually impaired people perform their test. Following this pilot we will be advised if the adaptation is being rolled out nationally.
Breast Cancer Screening
Breast cancer screening is offered to women aged 50-71 and is offered every 3 years. The first invitation will be between the patients 50th and 53rd birthday. The Breast Screening programmes Cancer Screening Improvement Leads (CSILs) will continue to work with primary care and, in addition, Answer Cancer will deliver community engagement in the poorer uptake areas several weeks before the screening ‘rounds’. The CSILs will provide information regarding where and when the screening rounds are to Answer Cancer.
If women are aged over 71 years they are still entitled to breast screening every 3 years. The patient will need to enquire with their local breast screening unit to arrange this.
Cervical Screening
Cervical Screening is offered to women and people with a cervix who are aged 25 – 64 years. Cervical screening is not a test for cancer, it is a test to help prevent cancer. The test takes a small sample of cells from the cervix, these are tested for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). If HPV is not found there are no further tests, if HPV is found the sample can be checked for changes to cells in the cervix. These can be treated before they get chance to turn into cervical cancer.
Currently cervical screening is offered every 3 years to women aged 25-49 years and every 5 years to women aged 50-64 years. Over the next year this will change to women in all eligible age ranges being offered cervical screening every 5 years. These changes are being made following a recommendation from the UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC). The recommendations were made as evidence has shown that those who don’t have HPV have a very low risk of developing cervical cancer within 5 years.
Currently there are a number of trials across the UK including trials for self sampling and trials testing urine for HPV. Once these trials have been concluded UKNSC will make any recommendations for cervical screening.
Breaking Down Barriers: Breast Cancer and Black and Asian Women
October is Black History Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, making it a perfect time to highlight a critical issue: the unequal impact of breast cancer on Black and Asian women – While breast cancer survival rates in the UK have improved, not all communities are benefiting equally.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and every year the NHS Breast Screening Programme saves about 1,300 lives[1]. However, Black and Asian women are less likely to attend their screening appointments, leading to later diagnoses when the disease is more advanced and harder to treat[2]. For instance, Black African and Caribbean women are more often diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer, and their survival rates—along with those of South Asian women—are lower compared to white women[3]. Additionally, Black women are more likely to develop triple-negative breast cancer, a particularly aggressive form that is harder to treat[4].
Why is this happening? Health inequalities play a significant role. These are unfair and avoidable differences in healthcare, often influenced by social factors like where someone lives, income, cultural beliefs, and misinformation about screening. Unfortunately, these barriers mean that many Black and Asian women miss out on early detection and potentially life-saving treatment.
This is where the Prevent Breast Cancer Health Inequalities and Community Engagement Officer, Azra, is making a difference. Azra works on the ground in collaboration with local communities and groups to raise awareness about the importance of breast screening. By addressing myths and misconceptions, she encourages women from ethnic communities to book and attend their screening appointment. Through running breast health awareness stalls at events like the Asian Mega Mela and workshops in places like Ashton Mosque, Azra strives to create safe spaces where women can ask questions, share concerns, and learn why early detection matters.
In addition to direct community engagement, she’s developed new resources to support these efforts, including an easy-read version of Prevent Breast Cancer’s “Make Time for Breast Screening” leaflet and simplified version of our “Be Breast Aware” pocket checking card, making them more accessible to women with low literacy. Azra is also working on a breast screening advert in four different languages to further reach diverse communities. These materials ensure that more women can understand the importance of screening and self-examinations.
Azra’s outreach activity for October includes collaborations with key partners like Fatima’s Women’s Association, the Caribbean and African Health Network, and Cancer Care Diaspora, all working to improve breast cancer awareness in their communities.
This October, let’s help spread the word to our family, friends, and communities. Breast cancer doesn’t discriminate, and early detection saves lives. By raising awareness, we can ensure that more women, regardless of background, feel empowered to attend their screening appointments and take control of their breast health. Together, we can work towards a future where everyone has an equal chance for early diagnosis and improved outcomes.
If you would like to hear more about the Health Inequalities work or would like Azra to support an event, please contact her on: azra@preventbreastcancer.org.uk.
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-breast-cancer-screening-units-to-speed-up-diagnosis
[2] https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/4/10/e005586
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9884890/
[4] https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/diagnosis/types-of-breast-cancer/triple-negative-breast-cancer/
Who’s pledged to the Bee Seen, Get Screened?
With the number of employers now signed up to the Bee Seen Get Screened pledge, 115,000 employees across Greater Manchester can now feel confident in asking their employers for time off to attend cancer screening appointments, if they can’t get one outside of work time.
If you would like your employer to sign the pledge just contact Jacqui for more details or ask them to sign up using the button below.
Sign the pledge
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Join the GM Cancer & Inequalities Network 10GM have formed a network of VCSE organisations that are This is a new network of interested groups and organisations that If you are a VCSE organisation that is interested and wants to Find out more |
Answer Cancer Get TogetherOur next Answer Cancer Get Together (Stakeholder Collaborative) · Hear the latest news and updates We particularly want to see Cancer Champions and Register here |
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Jo’s Trust closure
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust has announced its closure in May this year due to facing “insurmountable” financial challenges.
It ceased trading immediately and the charity is no longer responding to emails, calls or letters and the website can no longer be reached.
The cancer charity has referred its beneficiaries to Macmillan Cancer Support and the Eve Appeal in its stead.
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust was created in 1999 by James Maxwell in memory of his wife Jo, who died from cervical cancer at the age of 40.
If you have any questions or queries please contact us using the link below.
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Engage with Voluntary Sector North West
As one of the four partners in Answer Cancer, Voluntary Sector North West supports the sector “to positively shape the future of the North West”.
If you are a VCFSE organisation interested in engaging with Voluntary Sector North West, we invite you to connect with us. You can join free of charge as either a full member or an associate member, or simply subscribe to our e-bulletin to receive the latest updates and insights about the sector. If you are interested in joining as a member, or would like to join our conference on the 14th November, just follow the links.