Be Clear on Cancer campaign
The Greater Manchester and Cheshire Cancer Network (GMCCN) and the Greater Manchester Public Health Network (GMPHN) are running a cancer awareness initiative across the 11 PCTs in Greater Manchester and Cheshire from 23 January until May 2012.
The Be Clear on Cancer (BCOC) campaign focuses on kidney and bladder cancers, promoting awareness of blood in urine as a potential sign of these cancers.
The aims of this campaign are to educate people on the signs and symptoms of cancer and encourage early diagnosis.
Kidney and bladder cancers are the 7th and 8th most diagnosed cancers in adults in the UK. Bladder cancer is much more common in men than women, but when they do get it, women tend to present later. The most visible symptom is blood in urine, present in 80% of these cancers. This means that patients often approach their GP at a late stage as they believe blood in their urine is the result of a urinary infection.
This campaign is intended to inform you that, if you spot blood in your urine, even if just once, you should tell your GP.
Currently 24% of kidney cancer patients and 18% of bladder cancer patients are diagnosed via an emergency route. However, due to advances in treatment, there is a 90% survival rate if detected early.
Key Messages
- Blood in your pee, even if it only happens once, can be an early sign of bladder or kidney cancer.
- As soon as you notice blood in your pee you should go and see your doctor.
- It may be nothing serious, but the earlier that kidney or bladder cancers are diagnosed, the more treatable they are.
Go to see your GP, because catching it early could save your life.
Be Clear on Cancer leaflet
More information on the BCOC campaign is available on the NHS Choices website
Blood in urine factsheet
National Bowel Cancer Campaign
The National Team are also launching a bowel cancer campaign which will hit TV screens and airwaves from 30th January 2012 until the end of March. For further information on local events please click on the link below:
Bowel screening calendar
More information on the bowel cancer campaign is available here.
Macmillan Community Cancer Awareness Project
Macmillan Open Day 13th June