Conversations About Cancer

Healthwatch Blackpool were commissioned by the NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board Blackpool Population Health team, and the Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Alliance, to explore cancer awareness and barriers to early diagnosis in Blackpool. This was in response to Blackpool' s significantly higher cancer prevalence and mortality rates compared to national averages. The primary goal was to understand what prevents local people from accessing cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services. The project also sought to empower residents by increasing their understanding of cancer signs and symptoms, promoting screening, and increasing awareness of prevention strategies and support services.  They undertook an online survey, focus groups and general engagement to reach 1,906 people.

The majority of people feel somewhat confident in their ability to identify cancer signs and symptoms. Lack of confidence is largely due to the vagueness of many symptoms, which can be mistaken for other health conditions or signs of aging. Many people have limited knowledge of cancer symptoms beyond common indicators like lumps. This is worsened by a general lack of education and a distrust of healthcare professionals, who are perceived as being “dismissive” at times. The most frequently reported signs and symptoms of cancer were lumps or bumps, followed by bleeding, pain, weight loss, and fatigue.

Awareness and participation in cancer screening were relatively high in Blackpool. The majority were aware of breast, bowel and cervical, and participation of attending these screening were most common. While many people consistently attended screenings, a significant number faced barriers, including lack of awareness of which ones they should attend.

Many cancers were diagnosed at stage 4. The most frequently reported cancers were breast, bowel, and lung cancer. Participants reported that symptoms varied, with the most common being changes in bodily functions. A prominent theme was altered bowel and bladder habits, with many mentions of increased frequency of urination, difficulty urinating, and changes in bowel consistency, including both diarrhoea and constipation. Others included persistent pain and discomfort, and lumps/bumps. The majority of individuals discovered they had cancer after noticing new symptoms and seeing a GP.

Most participants were treated at Blackpool Victoria Hospital or by specialist services in Preston and Manchester. Positive experiences of the cancer diagnostic and treatment processes were related to the speed of their diagnosis, high quality and supportive care and clear communication. Negative experiences were often caused by either delays, poor quality of care, lack of communication or misdiagnoses.

Barriers to prevention, diagnosis and treatment included availability of GP appointments, waiting times for appointments and fear.