Worried about a symptom you think may be cancer?
Speak to your GP if you have any concerns.
More Information
We are encouraging residents to come forward and get checked if they have any symptoms of cancer in local languages.
In Keighley and the surrounding areas 4,000 people are living with cancer. 1 in 2 people in the UK will get cancer. More people in central Keighley are likely to be diagnosed at a later stage and die from the disease compared to many other areas in Bradford District and beyond.
A series of videos have been created by Keighley and Worth Valley Community Partnership, part of Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership. They are voiced by some people who have had cancer themselves or have been directly affected – some having lost family or friends to the disease.
The videos are available in English, Urdu, Slovak, Bangla and Polish, and the message is simple: ‘If in doubt, get checked out’. To view them click on the link below
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtL_xkBoKIMlPbF6YipnQL7DqdMRzMxBM
Early diagnosis is key to improving the likelihood of successful treatment. The NHS are urging people to attend screening appointments when invited and contact their GP practice if there’s blood in their poo, unusual lumps or a cough for more than three weeks.
David Thompson, our GP said: “If you’ve noticed anything different or something that won’t go away contact your GP practice. Not all symptoms are serious and it may be nothing to worry about.
Appointments will be done respectfully and in private with a health professional who will take any worries into consideration. They will talk through your symptoms and with your permission examine you. You may be referred to a specialist at your local hospital for more tests if needed.
It is so important to come forward with any concerns, but it’s equally important to attend any screening appointments when invited. Screening is the best way to identify if you’re at increased risk of cancer. We use it to get ahead of the disease and start treatment even before your symptoms start.”
The NHS routinely offers cervical screening for all women aged 25 to 64, breast screening for women aged 50 to 70 years old, and a bowel screening home test for everyone aged 56 to 74 (this is being extended to people aged 54 to 74 from February 2024). 98% of women survive the earliest stages of breast cancer, early diagnosis can make a huge difference.
Cervical screening uptake is particularly low in Keighley, with one in four women not taking up the offer of the NHS screening invitation. Only 38% of the younger women in Airedale invited for breast screening have come forward, with efforts being made to improve breast screening uptake this year.