Local residents get answers to their cancer questions at shopping centre events

Hundreds of residents in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have received answers to their questions about cancer and cancer screening, following a series of outreach events across the region.

The events – held at shopping centres in Luton, Bedford and Milton Keynes – included three specially commissioned live-action information films, produced by Reddoor Film & Media Ltd.  The aim of the events was to raise awareness of cancer screening programmes, to increase attendance at screenings and therefore to increase the likelihood of earlier detection of cancers.

NHS staff from the lung, breast, and bowel cancer screening teams were on hand to answer questions and offer vital information to encourage participation in national screening services.

At the Milton Keynes event, the lung cancer screening team was in attendance, using the opportunity to highlight the importance of early detection for lung cancer and inform local residents about the targeted screening programme which is now inviting those eligible to come forward.

Meanwhile, at the Bedford event, there was valuable support from local social prescribers, who used the event to raise awareness of their services and how they can help individuals access wider health and wellbeing support in the community.

The breast screening team also invited women to complete questionnaires about their service, helping them better understand patients’ needs and improve the delivery of the screening service in future.

The final event, held at Luton Point, saw over 200 people speak to the breast and bowel screening teams, strengthening community awareness of cancer screening and supporting individuals to take proactive steps in managing their health.

Dr Andrew Rochford, chief medical officer at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said:

“This series of events has demonstrated how collaborative outreach can break down barriers and make essential health services more accessible.  We’re committed to making cancer screening more visible and approachable for everyone in our area.

“Taking to the road to talk to local people in spaces where they’re already comfortable is the right thing to do, so they can get the answers to questions they might have.”

There’s more information about NHS cancer screening programmes on the NHS England website.