Cancer Early Detection Community Engagement Programme

Established through the CVS network across Cheshire and Merseyside and the Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance, the Early Detection Community Engagement programme aims to achieve meaningful health benefits for communities through encouraging uptake of cancer screening programmes, better awareness of the possible signs and symptoms of cancer and an understanding of lifestyle choices on health to enable early detection of cancer. There is a particular focus on those from marginalised communities or those already experiencing health inequalities.

This initiative seeks to support local communities to reduce their risk of dying from cancer, by improving community understanding and awareness of signs and symptoms of cancer and encouraging appropriate health-seeking behaviour. Through supporting this programme, we aim to help more people who experience cancer to be supported, achieve greater emotional wellbeing and to reduce stigma and discrimination relating to cancer diagnosis.

How do we do it?

In partnership with Wirral CVS, Rhian Davies, will act as Wirral’s Social Action Lead on behalf of Wirral CVS and One Wirral CIC to engage and work with voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations to reach local communities. The scheme focuses on improving knowledge of the signs and symptoms of cancer within local communities, encouraging more people to go for NHS screening when they are invited and to reduce inequalities in access to high-quality cancer treatment.

You are likely to see Rhian attending local Wirral events and collaborating with the other Cheshire and Merseyside Social Action Leads, raising awareness. Her focus is to boost people’s knowledge about symptoms and early detection without scaremongering, because increased knowledge can truly change lives.