Cancer Change Movement

13,000 people in Somerset are living with a diagnosis of cancer. Each of them has close family and friends who are also affected by their diagnosis. Most people know somebody who has had cancer and have offered them invaluable support. Many have raised money for cancer charities. We don’t like to talk about Cancer so in spite of the fact it affects us all, we can feel alone.

In the UK survival after a diagnosis of cancer is less than in other countries in Europe and across the world. More people are being diagnosed following an emergency admission to hospital rather than as a planned process. Cancers are diagnosed at a more advanced stage.

 

Cancer is a priority in Somerset and we are making improvements. As a result of this more people are completing their cancer treatment and facing the impact of their illness on their lives and the lives of their close friends and relatives. We realise the need to put more resources into supporting people who are recovering from their cancer treatment.

The Somerset Cancer Change Movement is a project that would like to improve the lives of everybody living in Somerset by focusing on early diagnosis of cancer and cancer survivorship.

Everyone can be a part of the cancer change movement.

We have the most amazing resource in Somerset;

Patients with their experiences of cancer pathways and ways we can do better.

Carers, relatives and friends who have supported cancer patients and have an understanding of how things are working well and not so well.

Healthcare professionals who work with present and future cancer patients and are committed to working together differently.

We want to give the Somerset Community a voice and harness collective intelligence to make change happen.

We would like your help in answering the following questions:

What are the barriers to early diagnosis of cancer in Somerset?
What are the barriers to recovery from cancer treatment in Somerset?
How can we work together to help overcome these barriers?