Cancer inequalities spotlighted in run-up to Yorkshire Day

In the lead-up to Yorkshire Day (1 August), Yorkshire Cancer Research has visited the region’s cities, coast and countryside to rally support for its ‘White Rose’ campaign, using mobile digital billboards to shine a spotlight on the region’s cancer inequalities.

The charity’s ‘digivans’ travelled to locations including Scarborough, Hull, Barnsley, Doncaster, Bradford and Richmond during the regional tour, with each town and city chosen to highlight the unique challenges communities face in preventing, diagnosing, and treating cancer.

The vans revealed key facts and statistics demonstrating the urgent need for investment by the Government, while calling for people in Yorkshire to take action by sending a symbolic white rose to London for a cancer-free future.

The vans revealed that:

• Some people who live on Yorkshire’s coast have to travel more than one hour for cancer treatment. This means they may be less likely to take up the offer of some treatments, and less likely to complete their treatment, due to the time and financial and physical costs involved in travelling.
• In Hull, 26% of cancers are diagnosed through an emergency route like A&E – the second highest percentage in England. Cancers diagnosed through an emergency route are often diagnosed at a late stage, when treatment is often more difficult.
• Barnsley has the lowest rate of early cancer diagnosis in South Yorkshire, with 1 in 2 cancers diagnosed at a late stage when treatment can be more difficult.
• There are more than 100,000 missed cancer screenings in Bradford, meaning many people are missing out on life-saving tests that can prevent cancer and find it early.
• People living in rural areas, such as those found in North Yorkshire, are less likely to survive some cancers, including pancreatic cancer, than those living in urban areas.

By spotlighting these issues, the charity has broadcast a bold call for the Government to consider the needs of Yorkshire in the National Cancer Plan, which is due to be published later this year.

Earlier this year, the charity published its landmark White Rose Cancer Report, a review of evidence that highlights the most urgent action required so more people in Yorkshire, and beyond, can live longer healthier lives, free from cancer.

The charity’s four key recommendations for better prevention, earlier diagnosis, improved treatment and fairer cancer research funding for Yorkshire could help put an end to historic health disparities.

People affected by cancer from across the region joined Yorkshire Cancer Research on its Yorkshire Day tour, amplifying the call for a united effort to save lives.

Anne Thackeray, a 64-year-old retired nurse from Scarborough, first found out she had breast cancer following a routine breast screening.

Following surgery, she chose to travel twice a week to attend Active Together, a research-backed cancer exercise treatment service. Funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research and designed by Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, the service helps people prepare for and recover from cancer.

With nothing similar offered near her, Anne has to take a bus and two trains to take part in the closest service, which is located at the Yorkshire Cancer Research centre in Harrogate.

Anne said: “Active Together is a fantastic exercise service which massively improved my health. After my cancer treatment, everyday actions like kneeling to clean the kitchen cupboards suddenly became really challenging. I had difficulty getting up off the floor, but thanks to Active Together I learned how to lift myself up and take the pressure off my knees. Exercising regularly also improved my wellbeing and gave me hope that the cancer would not return.

Donna McCunnell, Deputy Shop Manager at the Yorkshire Cancer Research shop in Hull said: “I think everybody should support the charity’s White Rose campaign. I had a cancer scare a few years ago, so improving early diagnosis and treatment, particularly in Hull, is something I believe in massively.

“Yorkshire is one of the hardest hit regions for cancer, so I feel strongly that the Government should listen to the recommendations being made. They will bring a lot of vital help to people across Yorkshire.”

Dr Aliya Darr, Research Fellow at the University of Bradford, investigates ways to increase breast, bowel and cervical screening among South Asian Muslim women as part of a Yorkshire Cancer Research-funded study.

Dr Darr said: "Screening is so important. It can be the first step in detecting any problems, so to miss those important appointments can be the difference between life and death. Every woman is different, every woman has different reasons in her life for missing screening, but what we need to be doing is highlighting how important it is."

Maggie Dingwall, from Richmond, was diagnosed with breast cancer after a lump in her breast was found at a wellbeing clinic. Following surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, she now volunteers at the charity’s Richmond shop.

Maggie said: “The Government should be doing more to help people in rural communities. The six weeks of radiotherapy was hard for me, because I had to go every day to James Cook Hospital which is about 45 miles away. Patient transport doesn’t cover all treatment, and you can’t catch a bus there. I don’t drive so I had to rely on friends to take me there. Thanks to their support, I was able to have my treatment without the worry or stress of wondering how I was going to get to my appointments.

"I was lucky that my cancer was found at an early stage and I’m eternally grateful to the GPs and all those who helped me throughout the journey. If you can find cancer early, it really does make a huge difference to the treatment you can have. In rural areas, not everyone can get to screening so it can be difficult to get an early diagnosis. People also need to be informed and know how to look out for warning signs of cancer."

Lesley Penty, from Barnsley, was diagnosed with lung cancer after attending a lung health check. Following her diagnosis, she also took part in Active Together every week.

Lesley said: “Thanks to my lung health check, my lung cancer was found early which is why I didn’t need any chemotherapy or radiotherapy. It’s why I’m still here today. I was one of the lucky ones. I tell everybody that they should attend screening if they are invited – it could save their life.

“I needed surgery to remove the tumour in my lung, and Active Together helped prepare me for that by making sure I was as fit and as mentally prepared as I could be. I was also very tired after my operation, but thanks to the brilliant team at Active Together, I now feel fantastic both physically and mentally.

“Even though it’s only been months since my diagnosis, I’m now more positive and hopeful for the future. Exercise is not only great for improving recovery and increasing cancer survival but has also been crucial in helping me focus on the joys of everyday life and my mental health.

“I want the Government to roll out lung screening and exercise programmes as quickly as possible so more lives can be saved. That’s why I’m urging everyone to back Yorkshire Cancer Research’s White Rose campaign.”

More than 1,000 people have now pledged to send symbolic white roses – well-loved as the iconic emblem of Yorkshire – to Health Secretary, Wes Streeting in September as part of a growing public movement calling for urgent action.

Cancer researchers, political representatives, people with cancer and their loved ones have signed up to send the same message to Westminster: our voices will be heard.