The Department of Health is making £8m available for regional NHS organisations to fund local campaigns that improve early diagnosis of cancer.

PCTs are invited to bid for up to £100,000 to run campaigns targeted at one or more of the three biggest killers: breast, colorectal and lung cancer.

The money can be used for advertising, outreach work and public information, as well as measuring the impact of the campaign so that effective ideas can be rolled out nationally.

The campaign is part of a wider programme of investment in cancer screening and diagnostic services.

Health Minister Ann Keen said: "As a nurse I know that to give patients the best chance of survival we need to catch cancer early. Our aim is to save up to 10,000 extra lives a year through early diagnosis and intervention.

"These local campaigns will encourage patients with symptoms to seek help earlier, and build on the Prime Minister's recent pledge to give patients the results of their diagnostic tests within one week."

National Cancer Director Mike Richards said: "This money will enable the NHS locally to raise awareness of the symptoms of the biggest cancer killers and to encourage patients to visit their GP earlier.

"Local campaigns and investment in new diagnostic services will also encourage GPs to 'play it safe' and refer patients for tests if they have any doubt."

To help them develop their campaigns, PCTs will be given a pack of social marketing examples - including the Doncaster Cough Campaign, which used a virtual bus shelter with sound chips to promote awareness that a persistent cough could indicate lung cancer. The campaign increased the proportion of patients diagnosed early from 11% to 19%.

 
Ann Keen