Cancer

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One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lifetime.

Your risk of developing cancer can depend on your age, genetics and your lifestyle, but Cancer Research UK tells us that two in every five cases are preventable.

The key is to spot the cancer early by recognising the signs and acting quickly – especially if your GP asks you to go along for screening.

Watch our BLMK Cancer Patient Forum video:

Advice and Support

Download our BLMK Cancer Patient Forum leaflet.

Protect Your Voice! Important things for NHS patient advocates to know

You can find more information, advice and support on the Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Care Map websites.

Two week referral information

A document detailing two week wait referral information is available below for each of our areas:

Walk-through video collections

A collection of videos has been created to support patients, families, and carers by offering a clear and reassuring look at what to expect during cancer care in our three local hospitals.

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Latest news and highlights

News

14 November 2025

Local NHS preparing for strike action

The doctors’ union the British Medical Association has announced that resident doctors across the country will be taking industrial action for five days, after national…

News

14 November 2025

New support for cancer patients across Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes launched

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) has launched a new suite of informative videos designed to support patients, families and carers…

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10 November 2025

Flu jab SOS for residents in the East of England with worst…

The NHS has issued a ‘flu jab SOS’, with the East of England’s vaccinations expert warning people to get protected now, with only weeks to go before the worst of the…

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31 October 2025

Local general practices offer more appointments than the same period last year

The number of appointments available at general practices in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes has shown a further increase. Figures published by NHS England reveal that over 1,650,000 appointments were…

Case Study

27 October 2025

Innovative facial analysis app recognises pain in care home residents

Danecroft is a 34-bed care home in Bedford, predominantly caring for people living with dementia but also other conditions such as Parkinson’s and MS. Since April, it has been using…

News

24 October 2025

Half term clinics to offer catch-up vaccinations for children

Parents of children who are behind on any of their immunisations have been reminded that there will be an opportunity to catch up on any missed vaccinations during the half…