This evaluation report presents the initial results of the local pilot cancer symptom awareness campaigns run in 2010/11 to promote early diagnosis of breast, bowel and lung cancers, and provides an overview of the programme. These projects covered 109 primary care trusts (PCTs) across England, targeting a total population of over 13.6 million. The report is aimed at local NHS staff.

The Promoting early diagnosis of breast, bowel and lung cancers (PDF 3.... report relates to three key metrics

• a detailed description of the interventions;
• the impact of the intervention on public awareness;
• the impact on behaviour.

The results from the surveys on awareness, recognition of cancer symptoms, and barriers to seeing the GP about symptoms were varied across the projects, with some reporting positive findings. Not all data relevant to these metrics were available at the time of preparing this report and it is important to bear this in mind when interpreting the findings. A clearer picture may become apparent when further analysis is conducted.

Late diagnosis is considered to be a major reason for England’s poorer survival rates. The National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative (NAEDI), a partnership between the Department of Health, National Cancer Action Team and Cancer Research UK, has been promoting earlier diagnosis since 2008. The aim of NAEDI is to achieve earlier diagnosis through a range of actions including raising public awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer, support GPs to assess patients more effectively and improve GP access to diagnostic tests.

Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer (January 2011), outlined the direction for improved cancer care and the aim to save an additional 5,000 lives a year by 2014/15 through improving survival rates for cancer in England and to match the European average.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/06/evaluation-cancer-pilot/