Cancer detected earlier in Cheshire and Merseyside
Thursday, 13 February 2025
People in Cheshire and Merseyside are having their cancer detected at a much more treatable stage thanks to a number of targeted checks.
The success of the Targeted Lung Health Checks programme and other projects has seen Cheshire and Merseyside rise from below the national average for early detection of cancer five years ago, to above it.
Cheshire and Merseyside is ranked 8th for the early detection of cancer – a remarkable turnaround since 2018 when the region was ranked 20th out of 21 cancer alliances in England.
One of the factors behind the region’s success is the Targeted Lung Health Checks, which sees specially adapted lorries visit communities to perform quick and easy checks.
Since its launch in 2019, more than 560 cancers have been detected in Liverpool, St Helens, Halton, Knowsley and South Sefton, with 80% of those being discovered at an early, more treatable stage.
The checks, which launched in Wirral and Warrington last summer, will cover the whole of Cheshire and Merseyside by 2027.
Recent figures show that more than more than 5,000 cancers have been found through the national Targeted Lung Health Check programme, with more than 10% of those being found in Cheshire and Merseyside.
Other programmes which have helped detect cancer much earlier include the introduction of faster diagnosis services in a number of trusts which speed up tests and referrals, and the launch of ten Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) across the region.
Cheshire and Merseyside’s CDCs have delivered over 785,000 additional diagnostics tests, with many located near or on the same sites as local hospitals or in the community such as the shopping centre setting at the Halton Health Hub.
Steve Hollington, 60, from Warrington, was diagnosed with bowel cancer after he completed a simple FIT test at home.
The father of two, who has now been cancer free for two years, says the early diagnosis saved his life.
Steve said:
“I carried out a FIT test at home and was advised that further investigations were required. Following a visit to the hospital for a colonoscopy, I was advised that two tumours in my bowel had been detected which were later confirmed as cancerous, within two weeks of diagnosis I received successful surgery to remove both tumours.
“The FIT test was very easy to carry out and I would like to encourage anyone receiving a FIT test to make sure they use it. Screening is vitally important for detecting cancers as early as possible and I feel like I won the lottery receiving the FIT test through the post as it has saved my life.”
Meanwhile, Paul Nelson from Birkenhead, had no symptoms at all when he went for a Targeted Lung Health Check, but a scan found lung cancer.
Recalling the moment he was diagnosed, Paul, 72, said:
“That first scan gave me a chance of life. I had no symptoms whatsoever and was fit and healthy, so I was devastated when they told me it was cancer.
“I’ve never had any problems with my chest but I was given the check and then offered the scan, so I thought, why not. I am so glad I went.
“This has now been caught early enough for treatment – if things had been left for a few more months it could have been very different. I have spoken with several friends and former colleagues who have put off having the check, after being offered it. I’ve told them that they need to go.
“Why wouldn’t you have a free check-up if it can spot something early. If this can happen to me when I was so healthy, it can happen to anyone.”
Professor Rowan Pritchard Jones, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s Medical Director, said:
“Regular checks and screenings are vital for effective cancer treatment, as early detection enables timely intervention and greatly improves patient outcomes.
“Each check represents an opportunity to catch cancer early, sometimes even before symptoms develop. This can be life-changing for patients and their families.
“Cancer found at an earlier stage is often much easier to treat and, in many cases, can be completely cured. This highlights the critical importance of initiatives like the Targeted Lung Health Checks.”
Jon Hayes, Managing Director of Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance (CMCA), said:
“Diagnosing cancer as early as possible means that it can be treated more successfully.
“The Cancer Alliance is leading a number of projects to improve early diagnosis, including working with the public to raise awareness of the signs of cancer, and supporting clinicians to diagnose and treat patients more quickly.”