Young people across the East of England are being asked to take part in new research on their perceptions of cancer and accessing healthcare.
The East of England Cancer Alliances, which work as part of the NHS to improve local cancer services, want to know how to better engage with 16 to 35-year-olds on social media site, Instagram.
Actor Holly Masters, from Cambridgeshire, was diagnosed with bowel cancer aged 23. She now co-chairs the Cancer Alliances’ Patient Partnership Group and is keen to get more young people involved.
Holly said: “The survey is just a starting point in our research to see what younger people know about cancer, such as signs and symptoms, and what they want to know, as well as how they want to receive this information.
“We hope that a wide range of young people will respond and we especially want to hear from those who do not currently have contact with cancer services.
“One in every two people will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime so most families have some experience of the disease. There is a lot of work to do to make sure people can talk about cancer and to ensure that younger voices are heard in local cancer care.
"I want people of my age and younger to know their bodies, to understand signs and symptoms and to be able to advocate for themselves when seeing their GP or other healthcare professionals.
“This starts by engaging with more people while they are young and healthy.”
The survey is anonymous and will be used to improve messaging, particularly on Instagram which is aimed at younger people; see :
EastofEngland Cancer Alliances (@eoe_cancer) | Instagram
It is quick to complete and can be found here until closing date 31 July 2023:
It can also be accessed by scanning the QR code on the left.
Findings will be analysed and shared with the Patient Partnership Group to plan next steps.
Notes:
April is Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month.
Every day, seven young people in the UK aged 13 to 24 will be told they have cancer. The Teenage Cancer Trust is teaming up with 15 other charities supporting young people with cancer across the UK for the first Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month this April.
Please view the video of Holly asking other young people to participate.
See: Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month | Teenage Cancer Trust