We are working together with health and care partners to improve the wellbeing of people in Gloucestershire, reducing the risk of developing cancer, improving early diagnosis and supporting people affected by the disease to live with the impacts.
People are finding out sooner whether they have cancer through access to screening programmes and quicker access to diagnostic tests. For example, GPs are able to use a new test to check the likelihood of colorectal cancer, with simple and reliable stool tests from home. In urology, the team at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are making sure patients can go straight for a diagnostic test, with many men attending a telephone appointment with a clinical nurse specialist before rapidly accessing an MRI scan.
If you’re worried about cancer
If you are worried about unexplained changes to your body, such as the sudden appearance of a lump, blood in your urine or a change to your usual bowel habits, then you should contact your GP surgery as soon as possible.
These symptoms are often caused by other relatively minor illnesses, but it’s vital to get it checked out ASAP and to put your mind at rest.
You may be referred to cancer services at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust who will make sure you get the tests you need and discuss any care and treatment options. It’s really important you keep your appointment, which could be by phone, video consultation or in person.
If you are diagnosed with some cancers, such as breast, colorectal, prostate or a haematological cancer, then you may be referred to the Macmillan Next Steps Cancer Rehabilitation team at Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust. They provide services and courses aimed to help support those affected by cancer.
Other local sources of support
We are very fortunate in Gloucestershire to have a wide range of local charity, community and business organisations that offer support to people affected by cancer (patients and their loved ones). Please contact the FOCUS Support and Information Centre or Macmillan Information Hub for information about local support: