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KEEPING YOU UPDATED
Welcome to our Cancer Voices newsletter. This is our way of keeping you all informed about the latest internal and external opportunities we have for you to be a part of. If you have anything that is specifically related to cancer that you would like for us to share here, please do get in touch.
As always, we are grateful for your contributions to all pathways, projects and programmes in GM Cancer. We love to hear from you, so please do keep in touch by emailing us below gmcancer.voices@nhs.net.
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Help shape support for people with metastatic cancer
The Personalised Care team is developing a new support document for people living with metastatic colorectal cancer called ABOUT_MEtastatic cancer support plan. This project is part of the Cancer Experience of Care Improvement Collaborative (CIC), based on the Greater Manchester End of Treatment Summary templates.
We’re now looking for a small group of people to join a working group to help review and refine the draft document. While it’s designed for colorectal patients, we would also welcome input from people with experience of other types of metastatic cancer, as this resource will hopefully become a model for wider use across different tumour groups.
The next meeting is Monday 7th of July, if you are interested or want to find out more, please contact us at gmcancer.voices@nhs.net.
Head and Neck Pathway Board member
The head and neck pathway board is a multi-disciplinary team of varied clinical and non-clinical members that focusses on the development and improvement of cancer services for head and neck cancers.
The pathway board works collaboratively, using innovative approaches to improve the head and neck cancer pathway, and in line with national guidance. Each pathway board has an annual work programme which reports quarterly into Greater Manchester Cancer Board.
For more information, please get in touch with us.
Member of Programme Assurance Board (PAG)
We are looking for one patient and carer representative to join the Programme Assurance Group, which is responsible for the oversight of all programmes of work within the Alliance to deliver the operational planning guidance and the ambitions for cancer in the NHS Long Term plan.
As the programme assurance meetings cover all elements of the Cancer Alliance Programme, we need you to ensure that we continue to have the patient at the heart of everything we do, and by bringing the diverse views of your fellow representatives who sit on the individual boards, ensure that the lived experience is informing our progression.
Send us an email to gmcancer.voices@nhs.net and register your interest.
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GM Cancer Data training session
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On Wednesday 16th of July, 1-2:30pm the Business Intelligence team will be delivering a Data Training session for all our patient and carer representatives. The session will explore Cancer Wait Times (CWT), important cancer metrics and dashboards. It'll be held virtually on MS Teams, if you would like to attend please email us and we can send you the link. |
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'My Friend Has Cancer' update
Have your say in the NHS-funded IVF cycles public consultation
The NHS are running a consultation to ensure that every person who is eligible for NHS-funded IVF treatment across Greater Manchester receives the same number of tries (known as cycles), removing the current inequity. They are particularly interested in hearing from people with lived experience of the services of using IVF services, if you would like to take part please visit their website. Also, if you would like to help with sharing the word they have developed resources you can share.
Prehab4Cancer needs your feedback
The Prehab4Cancer and recovery programme are currently commissioning review until September and recommendations will be made as to whether this service can be continued to be funded from April 2026 onwards. Stakeholder feedback has been requested which includes patients, referrers and wider stakeholders. If you have any feedback regarding the Prehab4Cancer service please contact: |
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Saiqa - saiqafarooq@nhs.net
Eejay - eejaywhitehead@nhs.net
They will be carrying out the review on behalf of the ICB. The deadline for feedback is Wednesday 9th of July.
Psychological Support and Mental Health Workstream survey
Do you have a free moment to complete a survey about the problems cancer patients may have when trying to get mental health support?
The feedback will help the Personalised Care team make sure that future projects and services in Greater Manchester are designed with the needs of our diverse population in mind. By sharing your experiences, you’ll help us understand what’s working well and what needs to change—so that mental health services are fair, accessible, and supportive for everyone.
The deadline for completing the survey is Friday 11th of July: Link to complete survey
NHS 10-Year Health Plan for England has been launched
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The NHS 10-Year Health Plan for England has been launched yesterday. The full plan can be found here. While the official cancer plan will come out later this year, the 10-year plan also includes cancer care - find out more in the plan. |
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Jill joins the Colorectal Pathway Board
Read a few words by Jill as she shares why she chose to join the board:
"I became a representative on the colorectal pathway board to give a patient's perspective and opinions on the future of colorectal cancer care before, during and after treatment/surgery. My experiences as a colorectal patient over the past nine years have given me the confidence to speak out not only for myself but also for other colorectal cancer communities."
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Vanessa climbs Mount Toubkal for Maggie's
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GM Cancer Alliance Updates |
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A couple from Wigan urge people to attend their lung health checks
Tom Harrison, 70, who is an avid golfer, received his lung cancer diagnosis in late November 2024 after attending NHS Lung Cancer Screening onboard a mobile clinic parked outside a Tesco in Atherton, Wigan. His wife, Trisha, 59, had been invited a few weeks earlier and was told she was at low risk of developing lung cancer over the next five years. However, Tom had to have further tests after his visit and was diagnosed with lung cancer despite having no symptoms, but it had been found at the earliest stage – stage 1.Tom and Trisha’s message is simple:
"Attend your lung health check when you get the invite."
To read their full story please see our website. Lung health checks come to Partington and Urmston in Trafford and Edgeley, Cheadle Heath, Shaw Heath, Davenport and Adswood areas of Stockport.
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Silver screen to boost early detection of cancer
A suite of films – funded by the Alliance - has been launched in Greater Manchester to support autistic women and women with a learning disability to access potentially life-saving cervical cancer screening.
Believed to be the first of their kind in the country, the films have been made by autistic women and women with a learning disability for their peers – with a breadth of real-life experiences shaping every stage of development.
This group of people often experience poorer health and shorter life expectancy compared to the general population. They also face barriers to cancer screening programmes, leading to lower uptake. Cervical screening non-attendance is directly linked to an increased risk of cancer. There’s also a film for healthcare professionals about how they can work with this group to help them with their smear and a film for parents whose children are due to have the HPV vaccine. Find out more and access the films - Silver screen to boost early detection of cancer - Greater Manchester Cancer
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Lung Pathway Board
Friday 4th July 2025, 11am- 1pm - The Nest 6 Claverton Road, M23 9FT
Meet and Greet Session 1
Monday 7th July 2025, 12:30-1:30pm - Virtual Microsoft Teams
Programme Assurance Group
Wednesday 9th July 2025, 10am-12pm - Meeting Room 54-00-103 at Paterson Building
Clinical Outcomes and Data Group
Wednesday 9th July 2025, 1-2pm - Virtual Microsoft Teams
Meet and Greet Session 2
Wednesday 9th July 2025, 5:30-6:30pm - Virtual Microsoft Teams
OG Pathway Board
Thursday 10th July 2025, 1:30-3:30pm - Virtual Microsoft Teams
Programme and Pathway Board Forum
Friday 11th July 2025, 9:30-11am - Virtual Microsoft Teams
GM Cancer Data Training Session
Wednesday 16th July 2025, 1-2:30pm - Virtual Microsoft Teams
Skin Pathway Board
Wednesday 16th July 2025, 2-4pm -The Life Centre, Washway Road, Sale M33 4BP
Haemato-Oncology Pathway Board
Thursday 17th July 2025, 3-5pm - Virtual Microsoft Teams
Gynae Pathway Board
Friday 18th July 2025, 2-4pm - Virtual Microsoft Teams
If you are a healthcare professional and have an opportunity you’d like to advertise, please get in touch at gmcancer.voices@nhs.net
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