Funding to improve community cancer awareness and earlier diagnosis

Charities and community groups in Sunderland and parts of Teesside and Northumberland are being encouraged to apply for funding to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and encourage people to seek help early and take part in screening.

The Northern Cancer Alliance Community Cancer Awareness & Screening Fund is inviting applications to support community-led projects in Sunderland, Stockton, Hartlepool, Redcar and Cleveland, Cramlington, Blyth, Ashington, Bedlington and Amble. The fund is being run in partnership with Point North, a Community Foundation, and offers grants of up to £2,500.

The fund focuses on improving the early diagnosis of the North East and North Cumbria’s most common and screened for cancers – bowel, breast, cervical and lung. Early diagnosis is one of the main ambitions of the National Cancer Plan.

The fund aims to reach communities most in need and reduce the barriers people face to access healthcare support.

Dr Katie Elliott, Northern Cancer Alliance’s Clinical Director for Primary Care, said: “Detecting cancers earlier when there are more treatment options and better chances of survival is one of our key priorities.

All too often in the North East and North Cumbria, cancers are diagnosed late and this fund is all about helping to make that shift and reaching out to those communities who need the most help.

“We’re looking to fund projects and activities in communities that raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer to look out for. We’re keen to help build people’s confidence to speak to a GP or healthcare professional and make it easier for them to do so.

“This could include running cancer-specific information sessions, awareness days or integrating cancer and screening awareness in existing community activities. We really want to support groups to get the key messages out into their communities.”

Michelle Cooper, CEO at Point North said: “We’re delighted to be strengthening our partnership with Northern Cancer Alliance to help improve health and life outcomes for people across our communities. Local voluntary and community groups are uniquely placed to raise cancer symptom and screening awareness to encourage early diagnosis because they’re already trusted.

“For too many people in our communities, there are real barriers to putting their health first. By bringing these conversations about cancer into familiar places, whether that’s a community café, a football pitch or a craft group, we can help make talking about it feel less daunting.”

The deadline for applications is 23 August.

To find out more and apply, visit Northern Cancer Alliance Community Cancer Awareness & Screening Fund.

The fund complements extensive work the Alliance already supports with partners and its network of Community Cancer Awareness Workers to boost cancer symptom and screening awareness.

For any queries, email info@pointnorth.org.uk or telephone 0191 278 6340.