Dr Elizabeth Towers, NHS Essex System Clinical Lead for Cancer, highlights that decisions leading to cancer diagnosis often happen before individuals contact the NHS. Hesitation due to uncertainty about symptom seriousness or fear of burdening GPs can lead to delays in seeking advice.
To address this, NHS Essex has been implementing initiatives like breast screening microgrants. These small grants enabled eight local organisations to engage with their communities in familiar settings, such as community hubs and faith groups, discussing breast screening through peer support, lived experience, and translated materials. One example saw a woman in her 70s learn she could still request screening and later arrange it.
Feedback from blind and partially sighted women indicated that accessibility of information and navigating healthcare settings were significant concerns. Following a session, seven out of eight participants reported feeling more confident about attending screening.
The insights gained from these projects, including a survey informing a film about screening appointments viewed over 15,000 times, are being applied to other areas. Similar approaches combining public surveys and community activity are being used for cervical screening, with a new series of films featuring a local GP answering common questions.
For ovarian cancer, a survey of 1,500 Essex residents revealed that while many could recognise symptoms, only four in ten would make a GP appointment due to concerns about seriousness, wasting time, or appointment availability. This insight is shaping a new campaign and will be supported by microgrants in the new year to bring information into trusted community settings.
Microgrants are also planned for bowel screening activity, following a current survey gathering information on screening, symptoms, and help-seeking influences. Findings will help identify barriers and target support for 2027.
For prostate cancer, forthcoming engagement will involve stakeholder interviews and group discussions with Black men aged 45 and over, and men with a family history of relevant cancers, to explore risk awareness, healthcare experiences, and support needs.
The Improving Cancer Journeys programme in Southend is also working with people affected by cancer and local partners to shape practical, physical, and psychological support during and after care, addressing wider needs beyond clinical treatment.
These diverse methods collectively aim to understand what encourages participation in screening, help-seeking, and support access, and what obstacles exist. Improving cancer outcomes through earlier diagnosis is a key priority in the Essex Population Health Improvement Plan for 2026/27. The projects underscore the importance of community engagement and listening to people's experiences to design effective information and support.
The bowel cancer survey is open until Monday 7 December for Essex residents to help shape practical support for bowel screening and symptom help-seeking.
