NHS England InHIP programme, Dorset Integrated Care System Cancer Programme, NHS Dorset, Wessex AHSN, and Wessex Cancer Alliance have partnered with C the Signs to introduce an innovative strategy aimed at improving cancer outcomes and addressing inequalities across Dorset.
The Dorset Integrated Care System (ICS) Cancer Programme, Wessex Cancer Alliance (WCA), and the healthcare innovation support organization Wessex Academic Health Science Network (Wessex AHSN) have collaborated with C the Signs, an early cancer detection system, to enhance cancer survival rates and combat disparities, with the backing of NHS England’s (NHSE) Innovation for Healthcare Inequalities Programme (InHIP).
C the Signs will be deployed in GP practices throughout Dorset to assist in the early identification of patients at risk of cancer, at the most treatable stage of the disease. Encompassing all types of cancer, C the Signs employs artificial intelligence in conjunction with the latest guidelines and research to aid healthcare professionals in recognizing the earliest signs, symptoms, and risk factors associated with cancer.
“C the Signs has the potential to really help GPs and their primary care teams in all aspects of patients’ cancer journeys. This includes detection, referral, and post diagnosis monitoring, as well as assisting with monitoring the return of diagnostic tests such as the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) [a stool test that can identify patients who are a higher risk of colorectal cancer]. The decision support tool assists in those cases where the correct pathway might not be so clear and will help ensure patients are referred on the right pathway at the right time,” explained Dr. Simon Wright, C the Signs Clinical Lead and GP Fellow.
Alex Geen, Head of Dorset ICS Cancer Programme, stated, “Supporting our primary care colleagues to detect cancers at an earlier stage, in areas where later stage diagnosis is a higher risk, is a key priority for Dorset. It also aligns with the NHS Long Term Plan ambition, to diagnose 75% of cancers at an early stage by 2028,”
Dorset’s aging population experiences one of the highest cancer rates in the UK. Early detection offers the best chances of survival, with over 90% of patients surviving colorectal cancer for 5 years or more if diagnosed early, compared to less than 10% survival after a late diagnosis.
Anna Wykes, Programme Manager for Cancer Innovations at Wessex AHSN and Wessex Cancer Alliance, commented, “This collaboration with C the Signs, to support the use of FIT tests in Dorset, is an exciting example of how the AHSN is supporting and enabling ICBs to use innovative technology to address health inequalities to ensure all our communities receive equal access to timely healthcare and treatment.”
C the Signs’ new Colorectal Dashboard will assist GP practices in identifying more patients at risk of colorectal cancer and those who should undergo FIT testing. With a built-in monitoring system, C the Signs will track all patients to ensure they receive a prompt diagnosis.
Despite Dorset’s generally low level of deprivation, there are pockets of high deprivation, emphasizing the importance of equitable access to healthcare services. With support from NHSE’s InHIP Programme and alignment with the Core20PLUS5 approach to reduce healthcare inequalities at all levels, this partnership aims to raise local awareness and community engagement, increasing the identification and diagnosis of cancer among at-risk populations.
Dr. Bea Bakshi, CEO and Co-Founder of C the Signs, stated, “Diagnosing patients with cancer early gives them the best chance of survival. As a GP I saw too many patients being diagnosed far too late with cancer. Finding cancer early is like finding a needle in a haystack. C the Signs takes a truly innovative approach to find these patients reliably and accurately and aims to give every patient the right to survive cancer.”
“We are excited to be working with Dorset ICS Cancer Programme, Wessex AHSN, and Wessex Cancer Alliance to improve cancer outcomes across the whole region and in the most under-served and deprived communities.”
David Freeman, Chief Commissioning Officer, and Deputy Chief Executive for NHS Dorset said, “One of our key priorities is to add healthy life years to people living in Dorset and early detection of cancer symptoms is key to us achieving this as when caught early, survival rates are greatly improved. We are confident C the Signs will help us realise our ambition.”
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