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Leeds Beckett to evaluate Wise up to Cancer campaign
Men tend to have higher rates of incidence and premature mortality from those cancers that should affect both sexes equally (for instance, stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, leukaemia). Nationally, men have a 56% higher incidence rate and a 67% higher risk of dying compared to women. This increased risk persists when all cancers are considered (i.e. including breast and testicular cancer), with men having a 14% higher incidence rate and 37% higher death rate.
In January 2017, Yorkshire Cancer Research launched the Wise Up To Cancer initiative, which aims to:
- Reduce the number of people who get cancer by promoting healthy lifestyles.
- Ensure more people survive cancer through early diagnosis by increasing participation in the national screening programmes for bowel, breast and cervical cancer and raising awareness of signs and symptoms.
This pilot initiative is anticipated to support the long-term aims of Yorkshire Cancer Research which is to improve cancer outcomes in the region and to ensure that by 2025, at least 2,000 more people in the region survive cancer every year. The initiative is being delivered across community settings in predominantly West Leeds managed by Barca, and pharmacies in Wakefield district, managed by Community Pharmacy West Yorkshire. The initiative has so far engaged over 300 people. Participants initially engage in a conversation around topics including current lifestyle behaviours, knowledge of cancer symptoms and engagement with national cancer screening programmes, and are assisted with setting goals to reduce their lifestyle risk, seek advice if they are experiencing potential signs and symptoms of cancer and engage in national cancer screening programmes where eligible.
Judy White and Jennifer Woodward from the Centre for Health Promotion along with Dr Amanda Seims from the Centre for Men’s Health at Leeds Beckett are currently evaluating the impact of this initiative and identifying how the programme can be improved for future roll-out across the region. Participants are contacted six to eight weeks after they take part in the initiative to assess the outcome of the goals they set.
Good feedback so far from the #WiseUpToCancer initiative. Now available in #Wakefield pharmacies https://t.co/IJkwvFDKMr @yorkshirecancer pic.twitter.com/rgRr8Xqnpw
— Amanda Seims (@DrAmandaSeims) May 26, 2017
The interim report completed in May showed that of those who stated their gender, 37% who engaged in the programme were men. Compared to women, men typically consumed more red meat and less fruit and vegetables per week, were more likely to be above a normal weight, smoke on a daily basis, consume alcohol more regularly and consume a higher quantity of alcohol. Men were also twice as likely as women to engage in binge drinking at least weekly. At the end of the initial conversation, 85% of men agreed they were considering making changes to their lifestyle behaviours as a result of the initiative which is a positive outcome as this may lead to a reduction in their risk of developing cancer.
When asked about awareness of signs and symptoms of cancer, programme participants were most likely to be aware of a lump or swelling, however men’s knowledge of this was poorer than women’s, with 27% of men having awareness of this symptom vs. 55% of women. Of note was that men’s awareness was lower than women’s across nearly all signs and symptoms of cancer and eligible men were less likely to have engaged in bowel screening (70% of eligible men vs. 75% of eligible women). At the end of the initial conversation, 69% of men agreed they’d learnt something new about cancer signs and symptoms and 76% said they were more likely to engage with national screening programmes which is important as this may improve their ability to recognise signs and symptoms in the future and seek help and increase the chance of early detection and treatment.
As the follow-up component of the project is in the early stages then the current data obtained from the 35 follow-up questionnaires received so far are limited, however approximately 40% of those who completed the follow-up questionnaire were men which is a positive outcome as it reflects the initial engagement in the programme from men. Men reported losing weight, cutting down on alcohol, eating a healthier diet with less red meat and more fruit and vegetables and were trying to be more physically active in their everyday life. One man had contacted his local smoking cessation service and had managed to cut down on smoking.
These data contribute to understanding men’s increased risk of cancer prevalence and mortality and highlight the importance of engaging men in such initiatives.
Check out our #WiseUpToCancer page for more info on reducing your #cancer risk.https://t.co/2t5M2snI56
— Yorkshire Cancer (@yorkshirecancer) April 30, 2017
To find our more visit http://yorkshirecancerresearch.org.uk/wiseuptocancer/