As a result of this project, the communities have told us they now feel they have a voice regarding cancer, a better understanding of it and of treatment, and they are more engaged with health professionals and services.   Dr Kajal Patel

 
Awards
 

Our award winning Berkshire West Cancer Champion project was launched to address the pressing issue of low cancer screening rates, high level’s of late-stage diagnoses and above national average incidence of people presenting at A&E with stage 3 / 4 cancers, particularly within West Berkshire and South Reading's diverse communities. Our focus:

Early detection: promote early screening, detection, and treatment of cancer.

Community empowerment: educate and empower diverse communities.

Breaking barriers: bridge language and cultural gaps in healthcare.

 
 
 

Since it’s start in 2017, the Cancer Champions Project has gone from strength to strength. Through partnerships with local health organisations we have now trained over 50 cancer champions from diverse communities including Polish, Romanian, Zambian, Afro-Caribbean, Sudanese, Nepalese, Pakistani, Chinese and Filipino.

Our champions raise awareness, and promote early screening, detection and treatment of cancers.

 
 
 

With the Champions at the forefront of engaging with hard to reach disadvantaged communities, we have reached over 7,000 people, in a way that health professionals have struggled to do in the past. Language and cultural barriers are broken down and, in contrast to before the project, whole communities are now engaging as the message comes from within their own community.

 
 
 

This community-led approach has led to: 

A huge rise in screening up-take.

Screening up-take: we’ve seen a huge rise in up-take of screening opportunities

Improved patient outcomes: fewer people are presenting with advanced-stage cancers.

Empowered communities: communities actively engaged in cancer prevention & care.

 
 
 

Our West Berkshire project model developed from work that we piloted in Rushmoor. You may be interested to watch this 2017 video detailing where it all started… click to view our video on YouTube.

 
 
 

We're proud to partner with leading organisations, including:

Bucks and Berks ICB

Thames Valley Cancer Alliance

Macmillan Cancer Support

Royal Berkshire Hospital

Reading Borough Council