Cancer fight continues
Spotlight on tackling the disease
Lanarkshire’s fight against cancer was highlighted at an event marking the success of a special programme to tackle the disease.
NHS Lanarkshire hosted the meeting to celebrate the work of the Lanarkshire Cancer Strategy, a partnership between the health board and the two Lanarkshire councils, Macmillan Cancer Support, Maggie’s cancer support charity and the Haven cancer support centre.
An audience from across Lanarkshire heard about groundbreaking work around cancer prevention, referral and diagnosis, treatment, and living with and after cancer.
The drive to improve the response rate for bowel cancer screening was highlighted in a video message from NHS Lanarkshire bowel screening champion Phyllis Weir.
Phyllis, who had an operation at Wishaw General to remove a tumour in her bowel, said: “The screening programme saved my life and allowed me the chance to see my grandchildren grow up.”
To underline her return to health, Phyllis, from Lanark, ran in the recent Edinburgh Half Marathon, covering the 13 miles in two hours, 15 minutes.
Tribute was paid to the work of The Haven in helping people manage lymphoedema – a condition that can develop after cancer treatment. The National Cancer Treatment Helpline was praised for helping people get the right local support, reducing the pressure on emergency departments.
NHS Lanarkshire’s director of access Judith Park, the cancer strategy chair, said: “Cancer touches so many people in so many ways. The vision for us is to work collectively and collaboratively to take an approach that is patient-centred and focused, providing the right feedback for patients and their families.
“Listening to patients has allowed us to take stock and our multidisciplinary approach has led to many examples of innovative practice and transformational change to break down the physical and cultural barriers around the care we offer our patients.
“NHS Lanarkshire has a good track record in terms of cancer performance. The three-year Cancer Strategy has now reached an end but the great work it has inspired will continue and inform what the cancer service will look like in future.”