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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.
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Diagnostic and Pharmacy Programme Group (DPPG) - Patient and Carer Representative
We are looking for one patient and carer representative who has experience of a cancer diagnostics pathway, and an interest in the transformation of diagnostics and pharmacy, to join the GM Diagnostics and Pharmacy Partnership Group (the strategic oversight group for the Greater Manchester Diagnostics Network).
The purpose of the group is to ensure continued development and delivery of high-quality diagnostic and pharmacy services across GM (not just limited to cancer).
The meetings will be held on Monday afternoon 2-4pm (once every two months)
If you would like to take part, please send through a written expression of interest detailing why you are interested in diagnostics and pharmacy, and any relevant experience you may have.
GM DPPG role profile Dec 25_Naomi Roussak
Colorectal Pathway Board Patient & Carer Representative
We are seeking a Patient and/or Carer Representative to join our Colorectal Pathway Board. We are particularly interested to hear from someone who has lived experience or supported someone with Colorectal cancer.
The Pathway Board representative represents the collective views of local patients with cancer, and carers at the Pathway Board meetings by identifying appropriate areas for contribution.
Get in touch if you would like to join.
Personalised Care: Core Interventions Delivery Group Member
We are seeking a patient and/or carer representative to sit on our quarterly delivery group for Core Interventions. In line with the NHS long term plan, all patients diagnosed with cancer should receive access to the below interventions where appropriate.
Core interventions include:
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Holistic Needs Assessments and Personalised Care and Support Plans
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End of Treatment Summaries
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Personalised Stratified Follow-Up
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Cancer Care Reviews
We need your help to support the programme’s aim to champion the importance of meaningful, high quality personalised care at every step of a patient’s cancer experience.
Please get in touch if you’d be interested in taking part.
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Our GM Metastatic Cancer Strategy has officially launched
Last week, on Wednesday 26th November, we launched our Greater Manchester Metastatic Cancer Strategy. It was well attended by patients, colleagues from across Greater Manchester, pharmaceutical companies, charities, and our Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.
Patients were central to the launch with short films showing the real experiences of people from across the region highlighting the need for our strategy.
Paul King, one of our patient representatives, also shared his personal story and the impact his diagnosis has had on him. Following the event, he said:
“It was wonderful to be able to input and express the patient voice in developing the strategy and to be able to highlight the importance and the difference it will make to people like me with metastatic cancer. While the condition is life limiting it was significant to note that it is not the end, it is finding the new you and being supported to live well for as long as possible.”
The event provided us with the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of metastatic cancer and what we are doing to improve the care given to those living with metastatic disease.
You can find out more about the work we are undertaking in our strategy document. We will also be sharing more at the Cancer Voices Catch Ups next week.
If you use social media and follow us, please do engage with our content as we share more over the coming weeks.
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National Cancer Patient Experience Survey (CPES)
Each year the National Cancer Patient Experience survey (NCPES) allows patients (16 years and older) to give feedback on the care they have received. The feedback helps us to improve patient experience of existing cancer care services.
How to take part
If you had treatment for cancer in the hospital as an inpatient or day-case and left hospital between April and June 2025, you may be invited to take part in the survey. If you are invited, you will get a letter with more information.
If you, or anyone you know, is invited to take part, we would encourage you to share your experience of cancer care.
The survey should take you less than 20 minutes to complete. If you need help filling in the survey, would like to complete the survey in another language, or have any questions, please call their Freephone helpline on 0800 103 2804 or email the team at cpes@pickereurope.ac.uk.
For more information, and to complete the survey: www.ncpes.co.uk
GM Cancer Voices Catch Up
We have our quarterly GM Cancer Voices Catch Up coming up this December. This is an opportunity for all our patient and carer representatives to come together to hear about the latest projects / updates happening in the Alliance, hear from you and take part in a festive quiz together.
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Face to Face: Tuesday 9 December, 1-3:30pm at Friends Meeting House, Manchester, M2 5NS
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Virtual: Thursday 11 December, 11am-1pm
If you would like to join us please register using our online registration form, it would be great to see you before the year comes to an end.
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Shannon raises over £2,400 to raise awareness of salivary gland cancer
Shannon an apprentice solicitor from Denton was diagnosed with a rare type of head and neck cancer last December. She had a lump just below her ear on her jaw which caused her jaw to lock and later jaw pain.
After flagging the issue with her doctor and dentist, Shannon was initially treated with antibiotics for wisdom tooth pain and then referred to Manchester University Dental Hospital with a suspected jaw joint problem. An MRI scan, followed by an ultrasound and eventually a biopsy discovered she had salivary gland cancer.
Shannon had surgery to remove the lump two months later and is now fit and healthy and recently ran the Altrincham 10K raising over £2,400 for Salivary Gland Cancer UK.
You can read the full story on our website.
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The art of speaking up blog post
David Jones Stanley, a patient representative, wrote an article for Heartburn UK on the topic of advocating for yourself. David summaries his own experience and provides practical tips you can implement on how to advocate for yourself at any healthcare appointment - read the full article on their website.
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GM Cancer Alliance updates |
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Alliance staff win highly commended award in national health awards
The team, led by Dr Rhidian Bramley, Clinical Lead for AI at the Alliance and Consultant Radiologist at The Christie, scooped the award in the Modernising Diagnostics category at a ceremony in London on Thursday 20 November.
The work – in partnership with Greater Manchester Diagnostic Network – has seen the roll out of an innovative integrated AI chest x-ray tool across seven NHS Trusts in Greater Manchester which is helping to support more rapid diagnosis, smarter referrals and improved lung cancer detection.
Well done everyone!
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Get Cancer Clever: GM Cancer Alliance’s Latest This Van Can Roadshow arrives in Rochdale, Stockport and Trafford
The “Get Cancer Clever” roadshow is continuing its tour of Greater Manchester, helping the residents of Greater Manchester spot the early signs of cancer and feel more confident in seeking help. Over the coming weeks, the van will be in Rochdale, Stockport and Trafford before continuing it’s tour after Christmas.
The roadshow has been off to a flying start over the past few weeks, visiting venues in Manchester, Salford, Wigan, Bolton and Bury, including spending an afternoon at Manchester City Football Club talking to fans as they arrived.
Members of the Cancer Voices community visited the van when it was in Wigan a couple of weeks ago, to take part in some photography. These pictures will be helpful as we continue to promote the van over the next few months of its tour, so a big thank you to Tom, Russ, David and John for popping along to have their picture taken with Vanessa and the team at the van.
Please do look out for the van when it’s in your area and pop in to say hello if you see it! Our lovely team on the van are on hand to offer friendly chats and advice about recognising symptoms such as persistent coughs, lumps, unexplained bleeding, or persistent tiredness, as well as busting some common cancer myths.
More details on dates and venues can be found at www.thisvancan.co.uk
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Think Well With Cancer - Talking Therapies service
Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance in collaboration with the Greater Manchester Mental Health Talking Therapies service is continuing to accept referrals for people affected by cancer.
The dedicated cancer pathway is in place to support those people directly and indirectly affected by cancer.
This pathway is delivered by a team of experienced and qualified professionals who work with individuals to help them understand their mental health challenges and explore new coping strategies.
Sophie Bates, Principal Clinical Psychologist who is leading the project shares “People using this service say the therapists offer support that feels truly personalised, and provides a safe space to explore the emotional challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis.”
Support is available for a range of common issues experienced by people affected by cancer, including low mood, anxiety, stress, and difficulties with coping. Addressing these concerns can lead to improved overall wellbeing and quality of life.
The service is free, confidential, and available to anyone registered with a GP in Manchester, Bolton, Salford, Trafford and Wigan.
If you would like further information about our service and to make a referral please click on the link below.
Think Well With Cancer - Greater Manchester Cancer
Leaflets and Posters will be available at the Cancer Voices Catch Up on the 9th of December. Olivia will also be available on the day to answer any questions.
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January's newsletter
As the festive season approaches, this will be our last newsletter for the year, our next newsletter will be released on Friday 9th January.
Thank you to everyone who has taken part in various projects and events across the year, your contributions have been invaluable to improving cancer services in Greater Manchester.
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Virtual Volunteer training: Leading and influencing - finding your voice
Monday 8 December 2025, 2 - 4pm - Virtual on Zoom
Health Inequalities Programme Board
Monday 8 December 2025, 3pm - 4:30pm - Virtual Microsoft Teams
GM Cancer Voices Catch Up - In-person
Tuesday 9 December 2025, 1 - 3:30pm - Friends Meeting House
Programmes Assurance Group
Wednesday 10 December 2025, 10am - 12pm - Virtual on Microsoft Teams
Psychological Support & Mental Health Delivery
Wednesday 10 December 2025, 2 - 4pm - Beechwood Cancer Care Centre, Stockport, SK3 8LS
GM Cancer Voices Catch Up - Virtual
Thursday 11 December 2025, 10am - 12pm - Virtual on Microsoft Teams
Head and Neck Pathway Board
Tuesday 6 January 2026, 10am - 12pm - Virtual on Microsoft Teams
Volunteer Training: Wellbeing - staying steady when things get stressful - In person
Thursday 8 January 2026, 1 - 3:30pm - In-person at the Christie
Gynae Pathway Board
Friday 9 January 2026, 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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