The latest news from the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance.
Mum shares the signs and symptoms of breast cancer after undergoing 10 months of treatment during the pandemic
Carina Doveaston, a business development manager, from Wigan, is sharing her experience to raise awareness during Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October. Carina, 36, from Lowton, Wigan, was diagnosed with an aggressive type of breast cancer – known as triple negative breast cancer - in January 2021. Carina Doveaston, a mum of one and business development manager, from Wigan The mum-of-one went to her [...]
Jo’s dedication to raising awareness of metastatic breast cancer sees her nominated for award
Oldham mum of two nominated for special award by Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance An Oldham mum-of-two has been nominated for a prestigious This Is Manchester Award by her colleagues at Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance. Jo Taylor, who is living with metastatic breast cancer – also known as secondary breast cancer - has been nominated for the Dianne Oxberry Special Impact Award. It marks her tireless work to [...]
Volunteers in Oldham are returning one last time to help NHS trial new cancer screening blood test
Over the coming weeks, hundreds of participants in Oldham who enrolled on the NHS-Galleri trial in 2021 will be returning to mobile clinics for their last of three appointments for the trial. Participants will be asked to give a blood sample to help the NHS see if using the Galleri® blood test alongside existing cancer screening can help detect cancer early. Finding cancer early often means it [...]
NHS Urges People In Greater Manchester To Come Forward for Life Saving Cancer Checks
People in Greater Manchester who have had a cough for three weeks or more are being encouraged to contact their GP practice and come forward for lifesaving checks as part of an NHS campaign. The ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign from NHS England uses TV, radio, online adverts and social media to increase knowledge of the main symptom of lung cancer. The ads feature people with a [...]
‘We need to normalise conversations about cancer and life after cancer’
Mum-of-three Tracey is on a mission to help improve conversations about cancer after being treated for womb cancer. Tracey Jacques, 52, credits one small bit of knowledge with saving her life. The HR officer – who has recently finished treatment for womb cancer - went through the menopause at age 47 when her periods stopped. Tracey says women need to talk about their vaginas and [...]
Hale business owner opens up about rare type of blood cancer to raise awareness
A HALE business owner and mum-of-one has opened up about living with a rare blood cancer to help raise awareness during Blood Cancer Awareness Month in September. Faye Bala, 38, has been living with Essential Thrombocythaemia (ET) a type of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow since she was 16. But it’s only been in the last year that’s she’s started openly talking about this with her friends [...]
Volunteers in Greater Manchester are returning one last time to help NHS trial new cancer screening blood test
Over the coming months, thousands of participants in Greater Manchester who enrolled on the NHS-Galleri trial in 2021 will be returning to mobile clinics for their last of three appointments for the trial. Participants will be asked to give a blood sample to help the NHS see if using the Galleri® blood test alongside existing cancer screening can help detect cancer early. Finding cancer early often means it [...]
Check your cancer risk and be aware – new NHS mobile van comes to Oldham
A new NHS mobile ‘clinic in a van’ is coming to Oldham so staff can talk to men about their risk of prostate cancer. The ThisVanCan roadshow is aimed at black men aged over 45 who are more at risk of developing prostate cancer than other men. 1 in 4 black men will develop prostate cancer. The van is also open to all other men and people with [...]
NHS Partners with Morrisons in Greater Manchester To Put Vital Cancer Awareness Messaging On Underwear Labels
From today (Monday 21 August) Morrisons shoppers in Greater Manchester will find NHS advice on underwear labels urging them to contact their GP practice if they spot potential symptoms of breast or testicular cancer. The Nutmeg branded underwear featuring NHS advice will be in 240 Morrisons stores nationwide, including in nine stores in Greater Manchester. The labels will first appear in boxer shorts, followed by crop top bras in [...]
‘My beard was covering a lump that turned out to be cancer’
A father-of-two from Bolton discovered a lump in his neck that turned out to be throat cancer after shaving off his beard. Tex Leece, 50, of Farnworth, Bolton, who used to play semi pro football in his spare time and has completed 9 Ironman triathlon events, was known for being very fit and healthy. So when his wife, Jo, noticed a small lump in his neck, after he [...]
‘Cancer ended my Olympic ambitions, but now I help other patients’
A ROCHDALE entrepreneur and mum-of-one who survived osteosarcoma - a type of bone cancer – now works to help others going through cancer. Maria Lawal, 29, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in February 2008 when she was 14 after discovering a lump in the femur bone of her left thigh. Maria who was a keen 150 metre sprinter and had competed in training for the youth Olympics, went to [...]
‘I was told I might never run again, but I’ve just completed Ironman’
A POLICE OFFICER feared he might never run again after being diagnosed with two different types of cancer within just two months. John Haywood, from Bury, was devastated when he was diagnosed with a rare sarcoma on his ankle in September 2019. Then a month later came the bombshell that he also had Hodgkin lymphoma – a type blood cancer. The 49-year-old had two operations on his [...]
Do you know how often you need to re-apply sun cream to give you protection this summer?
NHS staff from Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance spoke to visitors about how to stay safe in the sun at Tatton Flower Show last week. Using a sun cream of SPF30 or above is one of the best things that people can do to reduce their chances of getting skin cancer. But it’s important to reapply it frequently throughout the day – even with products labelled ‘once a day’. [...]
Go for your mammogram – it’s definitely worth it!
A DOG SITTER from Leigh is encouraging women to go for their mammograms - when they are invited - to help catch breast cancer early. Romanian-born Mihaela Atkinson, 52, from Leigh, was invited for her first mammogram in March. With her wife Sue working at Manchester NHS Foundation Trust in cancer trials, Mihaela knew how important it was to take up the screening. Mihaela Atkinson [...]
Tameside volunteers return to help NHS trial new cancer screening test
Hundreds of volunteers from Tameside will be invited to return to a mobile clinic over the coming weeks for their second appointment as part of the NHS-Galleri trial. Participants will be asked to give another blood sample to help investigate whether a multi-cancer blood screening test can help to detect cancer early before symptoms appear. Since the NHS-Galleri trial first arrived in Tameside in June 2022 [...]
“Don’t be like me, you don’t want to go through what I’ve been through” – the survivor throwing his support behind an NHS sun safety campaign
Neville, from Stockport, is urging people to stay safe in the sun and protect themselves from skin cancer. Neville, from Stockport, was diagnosed with melanoma, a type of skin cancer, in September last year, and is urging people to stay safe in the sun and protect themselves from skin cancer. Grandfather-of-four Neville Jennings was a self-confessed sun worshipper before a shocking skin cancer diagnosis. [...]
Stephen encourages people with learning disabilities to use their Bowel Cancer Home Testing Kit
A BURY man with a learning disability is supporting a campaign to urge others with similar conditions to use their Bowel Cancer Home Testing Kit. Each month, the NHS posts out more than half a million free Faecal Immunochemical Test kits (FIT) to people to use in the privacy of their homes. The test can detect early signs of bowel cancer. Stephen Owen, 64, [...]
Check your prostate cancer risk and be aware – new NHS roadshow comes to Greater Manchester
PUBLISHED 30 MARCH 2023:A new NHS mobile ‘clinic in a van’ is set to tour Greater Manchester to talk to men about their risk of prostate cancer. The ThisVanCan roadshow is for black men aged over 45 who are more at risk of developing prostate cancer than other men. 1 in 4 black men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. The van is also [...]
Trafford bowel cancer survivor backs new NHS Campaign to Urge People To use Their Bowel Cancer Home Testing Kit
People in Greater Manchester, who have been sent a lifesaving home testing kit that can detect early signs of bowel cancer, are being encouraged to use it and return it, as part of a new, first of a kind NHS campaign. The NHS national campaign – which sees adverts across TV, radio and social media, aims to increase uptake of the home testing kit to ensure [...]
Prostate cancer awareness month – check your risk
March is prostate cancer awareness month. 1 in 4 black men, and 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime. The risk is higher in men over 50 and those with a family history of prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer UK has produced an online risk checker, to improve awareness of risk factors and promote early diagnosis. Mr Motivator encourages men to use the [...]
New NHS Campaign Urges People To use Their Bowel Cancer Home Testing Kit
Millions of people in England, who have been sent a lifesaving home testing kit that can detect early signs of bowel cancer, are being encouraged to use it and return it, as part of a new, first of a kind NHS campaign. New NHS Campaign urges people to use their bowel cancer home testing kit Launching today across TV, radio, video on demand and [...]
“Go for your cervical screening test – it really could save your life”
Cancer survivor Hayley from Stockport is speaking out about having cervical cancer to raise awareness during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week which runs from 23 to 29 January. Hayley Lewis, a support worker, from Stockport, booked her routine cervical screening test (often known as a ‘smear test’) in January last year after receiving her invite from the NHS. Hayley Lewis from Stockport The busy mum-of-one had [...]
Cancer Patient Experience Survey (CPES) 2022
National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2022 At the NHS, we want our patients to have the best experience possible. With this in mind, continuous patient feedback is really important to helping us deliver what patients want and need. Therefore, the national Cancer Patient Experience Survey (CPES) asks for feedback from cancer patients (16 years and over*), to improve local cancer services across England. The NHS and cancer charities use the [...]
Manchester volunteers return to help NHS trial new cancer screening test
Hundreds of volunteers from across Hulme are being invited to return to mobile clinics over the coming days for their second appointment as part of the NHS-Galleri trial. Participants will be asked to give another blood sample to help investigate whether a multi-cancer blood screening test can help to detect cancer early before symptoms appear. If successful, the NHS plans to roll out the test to [...]
1000 health workers in Greater Manchester to get crucial training to support cancer patients
MORE than 1,000 workers currently employed in an Allied Health Professional (AHP) role in Greater Manchester are set to benefit from Allies in Cancer Care training. Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has awarded a £1.2 million contract to the University of Salford to launch the Allies in Cancer Care training programme, which is part of the three-year Skills for Growth programme and has been made possible through the [...]
Breast cancer survivor urges those with symptoms to seek help even at Christmas
This Christmas marks 29 years since Carol Bryant, from Glossop, found a lump in her breast which turned out to be breast cancer. Thankfully Carol, who was just 30 at the time, went to her GP on Christmas Eve and went on to have successful treatment. Now the mum-of-two is urging those with symptoms they are worried about to make time for themselves – even during the [...]
More projects to help patients with cancer are highlighted at the first ever Greater Manchester Cancer Awards
We're shining the spotlight on four more winning teams who have been honoured in the Greater Manchester Cancer Awards. Our awards pay tribute to some of the important work being done by doctors, nurses, healthcare workers and researchers in Greater Manchester to improve lives and treatments for people affected by cancer. Claire O’Rourke Managing Director of GM Cancer Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater [...]
Projects to help patients with cancer are celebrated at the first ever Greater Manchester Cancer Awards
Doctors, nurses, healthcare workers and researchers have been honoured by the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance at the first-ever Greater Manchester Cancer Awards. This December we look back at some of the worthy winners from October. The Greater Manchester Cancer Awards pay tribute to some of the important work being done in Greater Manchester to improve lives and treatments for people affected by cancer. They recognise the collaborative [...]
Salford volunteers return to help NHS trial new cancer screening test
Hundreds of volunteers from across Salford are being invited to return to mobile clinics over the coming weeks for their second appointment as part of the NHS-Galleri trial. Participants will be asked to give another blood sample to help investigate whether a multi-cancer blood screening test can help to detect cancer early before symptoms appear. 20,000 people from across Greater Manchester, including people in Salford, have [...]
Two women with lung cancer who have never smoked speak out to help others
When Sally Hayton, from Bury, was told she had lung cancer at age 49, at first, she thought it couldn’t be true. After all, she had never smoked. “I had this idea that lung cancer was something that only happened to older people who had smoked 50 cigarettes every day, all their lives,” she said. “I’d never smoked so I didn’t think I could ever get it!” [...]
Winners announced at the first ever Greater Manchester Cancer Awards
Back to Latest News The winners have been announced for the first ever Greater Manchester Cancer Awards. Organised by the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, the awards honour the outstanding work being done across Greater Manchester to improve lives and treatment for people affected by cancer. The Greater Manchester Cancer Awards honoured some of the amazing work going on in patient care, innovation, education and research [...]
Mum-of-three Nikki wants everyone to know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer
Nikki Taylor, of Dukinfield, Tameside, is speaking out about her diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer to raise awareness during Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October. Nikki Taylor, of Dukinfield, Tameside, is encouraging others to be aware of breast cancer symptoms. Nikki Taylor, 52, of Tameside, was diagnosed with breast cancer in February this year (2022). The mother-of-three spotted a dint in her [...]
Your Voice: Shaping the way we work – report out now!
Earlier this year we announced that we would be working with Mustard Research, an award winning, independent market research agency, to gather views on our User Involvement Programme and how we ensure the programme works effectively and is accessible for all. The Your Voice report is out now Since the end of May we have been conducting research via focus groups, one-to-one interviews, [...]
Giant lung roadshow coming to Manchester as residents encouraged to ‘talk lung cancer’
If you’re heading down to Gorton on Monday 3 October or Salford on 7 October, you might spot something you weren’t expecting… The NHS, in collaboration with Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, is touring the country with a giant pair of 12ft high lungs to raise awareness of lung cancer symptoms and start much-needed conversations around the disease. The Roy Castle Foundation is touring the [...]
Greater Manchester Cancer Awards – shortlist announced
The shortlist has been announced for the first ever Greater Manchester Cancer Awards organised by Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance. The awards will honour outstanding work to improve lives and treatment for people affected by cancer in Greater Manchester. A panel of judges – including patient representatives and staff working in cancer from across the city – whittled down around 50 entries to a final shortlist. [...]
‘Drop-in’ chest x-ray service intended to catch lung cancer early continues in Manchester
Bury, Heywood, Rochdale and Middleton residents are still able to get a hassle-free chest x-ray at their local hospital without booking an appointment. Since the COVID pandemic hit, the NHS has reported that the number of people coming into hospitals to get checked for lung cancer has significantly reduced. In a bid to avoid unnecessary illness, catch the killer early, and offer treatment to anyone who may need it, [...]
Father-of-four who was successfully treated for blood cancer urges others to go to their GP ‘if something is not right’
Jonathan Smith who was successfully treated for blood cancer is raising awareness during Blood Cancer Awareness Month this September. September is also Blood Cancer Awareness Month. It also marks one year since father-of-four Jonathan Smith, from Hale, completed successful treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia – a type of blood cancer. Now Jonathan is joining Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance to encourage people to make sure they [...]
Greater Manchester volunteers return to help NHS trial new cancer screening test
Back to Latest News Hundreds of volunteers from across Greater Manchester – including Oldham, Salford, Manchester, Trafford, Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, Wigan, Bury, Bolton, Stockport, Tameside and Glossop - will be invited to return to mobile clinics over the coming weeks for their second appointment as part of the NHS-Galleri trial. Staff in front of a mobile unit which is coming to Greater Manchester as [...]
2020 – 2021 Cancer Alliance Report published
2020 - 2021 Cancer Alliance Report published 29 July 2022 Today Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance publishes a two year report covering work that has taken place across our Alliance during 2020 and 2021. The report considers some of the challenges and subsequent measures brought about during the pandemic, in addition to innovative and progressive projects across our cancer pathways to improve the outcomes and experiences of people affected by cancer [...]
Greater Manchester Cancer Awards open for entries
Greater Manchester Cancer Awards open for entries July 2022 The Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance is delighted to announce that the first ever Greater Manchester Cancer Awards are now open for entries. The Cancer Alliance wants to celebrate the teams across our cancer network and their dedication to go above and beyond every day to improve outcomes and experiences for people affected by cancer here in Greater Manchester. Six categories have [...]
“Drop-in” chest x-rays launch in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale
New “drop-in” x-ray service launches for Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale residents with on-going coughs in a bid to catch cancer early Friday 08 July 2022 NHS teams are encouraging members of the public with lingering chest symptoms to get them checked out via a new, no-appointment necessary service at their local hospital. Launching on Monday 11 July, members of the public from Bury, Heywood, Rochdale and Middleton are able to [...]
“Drop-in” chest x-rays launch in Bury
New “drop-in” x-ray service launches for Bury residents with on-going coughs in a bid to catch cancer early Friday 08 July 2022 NHS teams are encouraging members of the public with lingering chest symptoms to get them checked out via a new, no-appointment necessary service at their local hospital. Launching on Monday 11 July, members of the public from Bury, Heywood, Rochdale and Middleton are able to attend their local [...]
User Involvement Newsletter 2
Issue 2, Spring 2022 Welcome to the second edition of our Greater Manchester Cancer User Involvement newsletter. We hope you enjoyed issue one, and found it a useful way to keep in touch with the work that's been going on. As you all are aware, we’re looking at how we can do things better, and in our recent survey, better communication was asked for. You asked, and [...]
Cancer Appointments are Continuing – Please Attend if you are asked to
Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance is reassuring people that it is still safe to attend cancer appointments. Cancer has been a priority throughout the pandemic and the NHS will continue to prioritise cancer services as we manage the Omicron wave. Cancer assessment and treatments will continue, and people are being urged to keep their appointments. Measures are in place to help protect patients and staff and it is important to not delay cancer [...]
The Princess Royal visits Greater Manchester Prehabilitation Programme to Commend Positive Impact on Cancer Patients
Back to Latest News Princess Anne met with staff and patients on her visit to the specialist cancer programme. As Patron of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, Her Royal Highness alongside Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham and representatives from the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, was introduced to a number of staff working on the specialist cancer programme, including exercise specialists, people affected by cancer enrolled on [...]
Greater Manchester Cancer Community joins forces with Renowned Manchester Poet to mark World Cancer Day
Cancer doctors, researchers and patients from across Greater Manchester have joined forces with Manchester poet Tony Walsh this World Cancer Day, to highlight their continued commitment to cancer services, despite the on-going pandemic. The cancer community across the region is vast, ranging from cancer nurses, to pathologists, scientists, radiologists, administration teams and managers, all playing a role in providing the best care and treatment possible to those affected. [...]
Episode 4: Inspirations
Episode 4: Your inspirations - What drives YOU to make a difference? In this special end of year episode, we turn the podcast over to you to find out what drives you to make a difference every day. Presenter Steve Bland speaks to four people doing very different jobs across Greater Manchester and explores the personal experiences that give them extra motivation to make an impact. Claire Goldrick tells Steve [...]
Episode 3: HPV vaccine
Episode 3: Understanding the HPV vaccine In episode three, Steve Bland reflects on the study published in the Lancet that found that the HPV vaccine has cut cases of cervical cancer by almost 90 per cent (HPV vaccine cutting cervical cancer by nearly 90% - BBC News). But it's not just cervical cancer that's caused by HPV. In fact. many head and neck cancers are also related to the virus. Steve [...]
Episode 2: The NHS-Galleri Trial
Episode 2: The Future: The NHS-Galleri Trial In episode two of our podcast, Steve Bland explores the exciting new Galleri trial announced by NHS England and healthcare company GRAIL UK, which could see a single blood test used to spot the early signs of 50 cancers, including some of the most difficult to diagnose and detect. The trial is being rolled out in eight parts of the country, and one [...]
Episode 1: Cancer and COVID-19
Episode 1: Cancer and COVID-19 Welcome to the new Greater Manchester Cancer podcast! In the first episode of our new podcast series, presenter Steve Bland finds out how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected cancer services in Greater Manchester by chatting to Professor David Shackley, the Medical Director of our Cancer Alliance, Kirsty Rowlinson-Groves, from the Prehab4Cancer Programme, and patient Charmain Sangster who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer during the first [...]