FAR too few people in Bradford are taking-up potentially life-saving routine cancer tests, according to health leaders.

Screening uptake for bowel, breast and cervical cancer is extremely poor across the region and clinical leaders are due to meet to discuss the issue and how it can be improved.

NHS Bradford Districts Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) governing body will hear how outcomes for some cancers are dramatically improved when diagnosed early.

A Bradford family’s story of cancer and end of life care will also highlight the need for health professionals to involve patients and families plan for when treatment is no longer possible and palliative care is needed.

The CCG wants to support patients in their recovery and, for those patients who can be discharged from hospital, it will provide GPs with the skills and support so cancer survivors can lead the best possible life when their care moves to the community.

The organisation is also improving end of life care by introducing more personalised care plans.

The barriers that some families face in getting their choice of end of life care will be explained to the CCG by the daughter of Vera Viles, who died from cancer aged 83.

When Vera was diagnosed she already had advanced pancreatic cancer and treatment was not possible. Barbara, her daughter, describes how the family wanted Vera to spend the end of her life in a hospice but instead ended up dying in hospital.

"We were frustrated as, if right from the start, someone had told us it was doubtful she would be able to go into a hospice, at least we would have known.

"She slipped through so many nets – she was someone who deserved better care," she said.

Dr Andy Withers, clinical chairman of Bradford Districts CCG, said: "We want our NHS cancer services to be first-rate so people get the right care and experience they need at such a difficult time.

"Most of the time we get things right, but it’s important for us to know when things don’t go as well as they should, so we can work to make things better: That’s why we’re so grateful to Barbara for sharing her story. Her experience will help us shape future services and learn where we need to make changes."

Bradford Districts CCG’s governing body is holding its public meeting at Buttershaw Business & Enterprise College, Reevy Road, Bradford tomorrow at 1.30pm.

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