NHS England & NHS Improvement has launched a new phase of the ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign taking a radically different approach to detecting cancer earlier for patients, when it is easier to treat.

The campaign aims to address the barriers to people coming forward early by encouraging those who have noticed something in their body that doesn’t feel right and are worried it could be cancer to contact their GP practice. The campaign will reassure people by highlighting that most people who are referred for tests by their GP find out it’s not cancer and that finding out sooner is always better.

The key message is don’t let the thought of cancer play on your mind, if something in your body doesn’t feel right contact your GP practice.

New survey data released reveals that while the majority of people knew catching cancer earlier makes it more treatable, over two fifths (42%) said they would ignore symptoms, wait to see if anything changed, look for answers online or speak to family and friends before seeing their GP.

The campaign is running across TV, radio, and social media in March and is the first ‘Help Us, Help You’ cancer campaign to focus on tackling the ‘fear’ of cancer rather than specific symptoms.

Published 09/03/2022