Cornwall's Tesco stores team up with Cancer Research UK to tackle cancer diagnosis delays
Survey reveals common barriers preventing people from seeking medical advice
A new partnership between Cancer Research UK and Tesco aims to tackle delays in cancer diagnosis across Cornwall by helping people access information and support during their weekly shop.
The initiative follows research conducted by Cancer Research UK, which surveyed 6,844 people across the UK to understand the reasons behind not seeking medical advice when noticing signs of cancer.
Barriers revealed in the survey included the difficulty of getting an appointment (53%), not believing the symptom to be serious (44%), and choosing to manage the symptom independently (43%).
Luke Huntley, a Cornwall pharmacist, said: "The great thing is the availability, because there's 350 stores across the UK open seven days a week, so including weekends and evenings.
"So, the availability there is fantastic and customers can come in if you're doing your weekly shop and think 'Actually, I've got this nagging query, I want to talk to a professional'.
"You can pop in or if you're busy in a city centre, getting a meal deal at lunchtime, you could squeeze that in and all you have to do is basically go up to the counter, have a discreet conversation with someone on the pharmacy team and then they will then signpost you within minutes to be in a confidential space with a a pharmacist who's had the the training in conjunction with Cancer Research UK."
Early diagnosis saves lives
Nearly one in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime, but detecting cancer early greatly improves outcomes.
Around nine in ten people in England survive bowel cancer, the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK, for five years or more if diagnosed at the earliest stage, compared with around one in ten at the latest stage.
Currently, 55% of cancer cases in England are diagnosed early, though rates vary by region.
By bringing resources directly into communities like Cornwall, the campaign aims to remove barriers to seeking medical advice and ensure cancer is diagnosed at an early stage whenever possible.
The survey also found emotional and logistical barriers preventing people from seeking help, with 40% of respondents saying they didn’t want to be seen as making a fuss. Others believed symptoms were related to an existing illness or change in life circumstances (37%), didn’t want a remote appointment (37%), or felt overwhelmed by other worries (37%).
Additionally, 36% of people reported concerns that their symptoms might not be taken seriously.
Mr Huntley added: "Unfortunately, up to one in two people are affected directly or indirectly with cancer. So, it's very prominent.
"The sooner you get any concerns addressed and diagnosed, then that early diagnosis saves lives. It's as simple as that."