Suffolk’s Cancer Screening Fund

Grants are available to support the work of voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations addressing one or more specific objectives as outlined in the full criteria.

Screening tests for cervical, breast and bowel cancer are available free of charge through the NHS. The purpose of this funding programme is to raise awareness of the benefits of screening, reduce some of the common myths surrounding it, and importantly to encourage a higher take up and attendance at screening appointments (cervical and breast screening) or the use of home screening kits (bowel screening).

There is no national screening programme for skin or prostate cancer so those who are concerned, show symptoms or have high risk factors of either should be encouraged to book and attend an appointment with their GP as soon as possible. If they are not registered with a GP they should be encouraged and helped to do so immediately.

The evidence is overwhelming, that if people take up their screening opportunities or go to see their doctor when symptoms first appear lives can be saved by identifying cancer earlier, or in the case of cervical screening prevent it from appearing.

Cervical screening (also known as the smear test) is offered to women and people with a cervix aged between 25 and 64 years. It helps prevent cervical cancer by checking for a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cell changes.

Breast screening is offered every three years between the ages of 50–71 and uses x-rays called mammograms to look for breast abnormalities that are too small to see or feel.  If the person is trans man, trans woman or are non-binary how they’re invited will depend on the sex they’re registered with at a GP.  Regular breast screening can find breast cancer before any signs or symptoms are noticed. The screening is performed by female health specialists only, it is one of the few specialties that are allowed to recruit solely female staff.

Bowel screening is available to everyone aged 60-74 who is registered with a GP.  A home test kit is automatically sent every 2 years and can be completed at home with a simple FIT (faecal immunochemical test).  The sample taken is posted to a lab for testing with results being posted back within 2 weeks. This may result in further diagnostic testing being required.

Prostate cancer mainly affects men aged over 50. There are three main prostate cancer risks which cannot be changed: getting older, having a family history of prostate cancer and being Black. Those with these risks factors should talk to their GP about the tests that are available to diagnose prostate cancer. Most men with early prostate cancer do not have any signs or symptoms so it is important that they know the risks.

Skin cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK and almost nine in 10 cases are preventable. Overexposure to UV radiation in sunlight or via the use of sun-beds will cause damage to skin which increases the risk of melanoma skin cancer. Skin colour or type is the main risk factor in someone developing skin cancer and those who burn easily in the sun are at increased risk of skin cancer.

Criteria

Grants of up to £4,000, and micro-grants of up to £1,000 are available to support the work of voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations addressing one or more of the following objectives:

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST IDENTIFY WHICH OF THESE WILL BE ADDRESSED AND HOW

• Highlight the risks of cervical, breast, bowel, prostate or skin cancer through the provision of targeted information, advice and guidance (IAG), this can include written material as well as face-face or online awareness raising sessions
• Highlight the preventative benefits of screening where available, through the provision of targeted IAG, this can include written material as well as face-face or online awareness raising sessions
• Encourage booking of, and attendance at cervical and breast screening appointments or, in the case of bowel screening, registering with a GP and supporting uptake of the FIT home-screening kit offer
• Encourage the booking of, and attendance at doctor’s appointments for those concerned about prostate or skins cancers
• Tackle barriers such as fear, embarrassment and common myths through the provision of targeted IAG
• Improve access to information, this can include written material as well as face-face or online awareness raising sessions
• Consider nominating a Screening Champion within your organisation who will promote the benefits and encourage the take-up of screening as well as provide or signpost individuals to IAG

In Suffolk there are particular segments of the population who are more likely to not book and attend GP appointments or attend their screening appointment. These specific groups should be targeted and are shown below. Applications should clearly identify which group/s are to be supported:

Cervical screening:

• 25-29 year olds
• Women over 55 years old up to the age of 65
• Women from lower socio-economic groups
• Women from ethnic minority groups
• Women with learning disabilities
• Women living in areas of deprivation
• LGBT+ women and people with a cervix

Breast screening:

• 50–71 year olds
• Women from lower socio-economic groups
• Women from ethnic minority groups
• Women with learning disabilities
• Women living in areas of deprivation
• LGBT+ women, trans man, trans woman or are non-binary

Bowel screening:

• Men and women aged 60-74 years
• Men and women from lower socio-economic groups
• Men and women from ethnic minority groups
• Men and women with learning disabilities
• Men and women living in areas of deprivation
• LGBTQ+ men and women

Skin cancer:

• All ages
• Men and women from lower socio-economic groups
• Men and women from ethnic minority groups
• Men and women with learning disabilities
• Men and women living in areas of deprivation
• LGBTQ+ men and women

Prostate cancer:

• Men over the age of 50
• Men with a family history of prostate cancer
• Black men
• Men from lower socio-economic groups
• Men with learning disabilities
• Men living in areas of deprivation
• LGBTQ+ men

Outcomes

Funded projects must report back on the following outcomes:

• Number of people in attendance at face-face or online information sessions
• Number of people provided with IAG
• Evaluation questionnaires after each educative piece i.e. asking participant are you likely to attend now?
• Number of people that have taken up their cervical, breast or bowel screening offer or attended an appointment with their GP as a result of the project
• Summary of the barriers they face(d) to attending and how these were addressed