Eight new projects take on cancer challenge

A health innovation agency has backed a range of creative solutions designed to improve early cancer diagnosis.

Eight projects across the North East and North Cumbria have received more than £500,000 from Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria (HI NENC) and the Northern Cancer Alliance (NCA). 

The funding comes as part of an unmet need call, with the overall goal of diagnosing 75 per cent of cancers at an early stage when treatment is more effective.

Innovators from a range of health sectors were encouraged to tackle the challenge head-on, with funding prioritised for initiatives that help address health inequalities.

Dr Stephen Lynn, HI NENC’s associate commercial director, said: “We have been working with the Northern Cancer Alliance since 2020 to identify and implement well-evidenced innovations to support the regional and national priorities in preventing, diagnosing earlier and treating cancer.

“We have delivered several unmet need calls and had a tremendous response to our latest with eight projects selected for funding. 

“Over the next 12 months, we look forward to highlighting the impact of these projects and how they make a real difference to both patients and our cancer services.”

Aaron Tucker, head of programmes for NCA, added: “Detecting and diagnosing more cancers at an early stage when treatment is more likely to be successful is a major priority for us, and embracing innovation is a key part to making that happen.

“We were really pleased with the engagement in this call and the breadth of projects put forward, and will be working with the teams to improve outcomes for patients and drive innovation in cancer pathways in the North East and North Cumbria.”

The eight projects are:

• Lung cancer screening uptake – Two part-time health coaches will be introduced in Northumberland and North Tyneside GP practices to encourage lung cancer screening among deprived populations.
• Bowel cancer screening reassurance – County Durham patients aged 50 will receive targeted communication to improve awareness and confidence in bowel cancer screening.
• AI prostate cancer tool trial – IBEX Galen Prostate, an AI-based diagnostic tool, will be trialled in Gateshead to support prostate cancer detection.
• Appointment attendance support – North Cumbria Integrated Care will identify barriers to hospital attendance and offer personalised support to improve uptake.
• Cancer symptoms awareness – Workplace and wellbeing services in County Durham will be used to educate people about the symptoms of common cancers.
• Predictor tools for appointment access – Tools will be developed in Northumberland and North Tyneside to flag patients needing extra support to attend diagnostic appointments.
• Early diagnosis in ethnic minorities – A community-led campaign in Middlesbrough and Tees Valley will use trusted platforms to promote cancer awareness in diverse populations.
• Skin cancer awareness for farmers – A rural campaign will educate farming communities on UV protection and early detection of skin cancer, with accessible screening services.

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →