Through the National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative, we are raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer among healthcare professionals and the general public, and encouraging those people with symptoms that may be cancer to seek advice as early as possible. This work includes developing key messages on a number of cancers, carrying out a baseline national cancer symptom awareness survey, commissioning an audit of cancer diagnoses in primary care, and providing funding for a number of cancer awareness campaigns.
As part of the Initiative, almost £5 million has been allocated to the national health service to support cancer networks and primary care trusts in implementing local services that will improve awareness of cancers and promote early diagnosis.
We do not promote the practice of routine self-examination for cancer symptoms as people's bodies, particularly women's, can feel different at different times. However, it is important that people are aware of their bodies and what is normal for them, and that they report any changes as early and as soon as possible. We have collaborated with Cancer Research UK to produce a breast awareness leaflet, Be Breast Aware, and a testicular cancer leaflet, “Detecting Testicular Cancer —Spot the Symptoms Early.”