GM Cancer News

Everyone at the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance is deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague and friend Jo Taylor.    Since her diagnosis of breast cancer in 2007, Jo devoted her life to supporting others affected by the disease, transforming her own experience into a powerful force for change. She has touched thousands of lives across Greater Manchester, the UK and beyond.  The late Jo Taylor speaking at the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance Conference in 2024 As a patient representative at the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance for 10 years, Jo represented the voices of [...]

When great-grandfather Tom Slattery noticed a lump on his neck in 2023, he didn’t ignore it. He got medical advice straight away - and that quick decision changed everything as he was diagnosed with cancer. This Van Can is a mobile NHS cancer awareness roadshow touring Greater Manchester to encourage people to Get Cancer Clever “It was scary at first,” Tom recalls. “But seeing the doctor quickly was the best thing I ever did. I was sent for tests and treatment right away – and now I’m doing really well.  I’m spending time with [...]

A new series of mini films  - designed to help dispel fears about breast cancer and breast cancer screening – has been launched to support Black and South Asian women. Community leaders hope the four videos will increase the number of people from ethnic minorities who attend breast cancer screening. The videos - co-produced with ethnic minority women - aim to improve breast health awareness and encourage health seeking behaviours. They also want to encourage more people with potential symptoms of breast cancer - like a lump - to go to their GP to [...]

A Bolton manufacturing company director is urging everyone who gets invited to NHS lung cancer screening to make sure they attend – after he nearly missed his appointment which went on to show he had lung cancer. Ken Roberts is now doing well after his surgery. Ken Roberts, 73, from Ladybridge, Bolton, was invited for a free lung health check when the mobile unit was parked at Morrisons in Bolton, earlier this year. The granddad-of-five had no symptoms so initially thought he wouldn’t go, but luckily he changed his mind and went for the appointment. Now [...]

The Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance and Greater Manchester Diagnostics Network comes under a single leadership structure this month. Claire O'Rourke, the Managing Director of the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance and the Greater Manchester Diagnostics Network, with Miss Susi Penney, Medical Director, and Alison Armstrong, Associate Director, who will support with her new role. This comes as Chris Sleight, former Chief Officer, and Katie Moss, former Programme Director, leave the Greater Manchester Diagnostics Network for retirement and new opportunities. Claire O’Rourke, Managing Director for the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, will undertake the joint leadership role to [...]

A contracts manager from NHS Greater Manchester has helped raise more than £5,300 for cancer charities following her own diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer. Nicola Harrison, a breast cancer fundraiser, who has raised more than £5,000 for cancer charities. Nicola Harrison, who lives in Ashton-under-Lyne, joined forces with fellow members of local support group Bosom Buddies to produce a charity calendar in aid of the Tameside Macmillan Unit and Prevent Breast Cancer. Nicola said: "I found a lump, no bigger than a pea, during a self-examination in May 2024. Because of my family [...]

Women from Greater Manchester star in a new campaign by the NHS to raise awareness about the importance of checking your breasts or chest. Nabila Farooq is one woman who stars in the new campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer. The campaign by Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance – part of the NHS -  encourages people to “look and feel” every month and report any potential signs of breast cancer to their GP. Its launch follows Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October and includes local faces as well as some Greater Manchester landmarks including Central [...]

Congratulations to Miss Susi Penney on being included in the 2025 Northern Leaders List We are proud to announce that Susi Penney, Medical Director at the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, has been named on the 2025 Northern Leaders List which celebrates those making the greatest positive impact across the North. Inspired by Sir Howard Bernstein, the late former chief executive of Manchester City Council and a key figure in Manchester’s regeneration, this list highlights outstanding regional leadership. Susi, who has been a consultant head, neck and thyroid surgeon at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust since 2012, also served as [...]

Gill Kohler, 62, from Standish, Wigan, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer two years ago after her niece noticed how much over-the-counter indigestion medicine she was relying on. Now she is supporting a new Heartburn Health Roadshow, which will be in Greater Manchester in October, to help others spot potential symptoms of oesophageal cancer – also known as cancer of the foodpipe – sooner. A former primary school teacher from Greater Manchester is urging people not to ignore the signs of persistent heartburn as she backs a new awareness campaign coming to Greater Manchester this autumn. [...]