The Operating Theatre Journal - Flipbook - Page 14
Historic plan launched to move Wales
towards zero deaths from bowel cancer
“No-one in Wales should die from bowel cancer”- that’s the message from a landmark plan launched today by Moondance
Cancer Initiative to move Wales towards zero deaths from the cancer which currently kills over 900 people a year.
For the first time ever, patients, clinicians and
professionals have come together to create
Towards Zero Deaths from Bowel Cancer, a
compelling case for change with a clear set
of actions showing how the 2,300 people
diagnosed with bowel cancer in Wales each
year can have the best chance to survive and
thrive.
Moondance Cancer Initiative is committing
more than £1.5m in funding to support
implementation of the actions and fuel lasting
change for bowel cancer patients across
Wales.
Wales has the lowest bowel cancer survival
rate of any UK nation. The past few years has
seen more people die and a sharp increase in
inequality of outcomes for patients. In 2021,
the most deprived parts of Wales’ population
were over 80% more likely to die from bowel
cancer than the least deprived. This is despite
bowel cancer being one of the most treatable
and curable cancers. At least 9 out of 10
people will survive bowel cancer if it’s found
and treated early.
From prevention to early detection and
diagnosis through to treatment, the new plan
looks at how improvements can be made at
every stage of the patient pathway. It is the
outcome of in-depth discussions with over 70
patients and carers to understand and learn
from their experiences, alongside expert
advice and evidence from professionals.
“Partnership
and
collaboration
across
government, patient groups, NHS, third
sector, and industry will be essential to deliver
the most impactful programme possible for
Wales. At Moondance Cancer Initiative, we
are committed to championing, supporting
and funding better ways of doing things and,
gathering the evidence needed to sustain
change. With widespread collaboration and
support, this should mark the start of an
impactful and long-term movement towards
better bowel cancer care in Wales. Let’s do
this together and bring the hope Wales needs.”
Moving towards a Wales with zero deaths from
bowel cancer will bring hope to many affected
by cancer. Fewer lives will be lost if this
powerful and comprehensive piece of work is
acted on.”
Endorsed by Bowel Cancer UK, The Association
of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Welsh Association for Gastroenterology
and Endoscopy, Wales Cancer Network, Wales
Bowel Cancer Initiative, and the Royal College
of Surgeons of England, the report is a rallying
call for everyone involved in bowel cancer in
Wales.
Moondance Cancer Initiative is committed
to bringing energy to working Towards Zero
Deaths and will work collaboratively to fund
work to fuel this change.
Moondance Cancer Initiative exists to find, fund
and fuel brilliant people and brave ideas to
make Wales a world leader in cancer survival.
It has a proven track record for improving
bowel cancer care in Wales - from endoscopy
training to schools education programmes to
enabling research activity in health boards.
Its focus is wider than bowel cancer, currently
funding 24 active projects across Wales,
including the expansion of the Rapid Diagnosis
Centre in Swansea Bay and the introduction of
Transnasal endoscopy in Cardiff and Vale and
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Boards.
Prof. Jared Torkington, Consultant Colorectal
Surgeon and Clinical Director at Moondance
Cancer Initiative, said: “No-one in Wales
should die from bowel cancer. That’s a bold
statement but one we truly believe we can
move towards if the cancer community comes
together to bring Towards Zero Deaths from
Bowel Cancer to life.
“The dramatic change we are looking for can
only happen if every opportunity is taken and
everyone plays their part in a focus on saving
lives. This case for change has been built by
bowel cancer professionals, patients, their
carers’, and their families from across the
country. These experiences and insights have
never been gathered at this scale and depth
in Wales.
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To read Towards Zero Deaths from Bowel
Cancer, visit:
https://moondance-cancer.wales/researchinsights/towards-zero-deaths-from-bowelcancer
When responding to articles please quote ‘OTJ’
Rachel Reed, bowel cancer survivor and
patient advocate said: “Receiving a stage 4
bowel cancer diagnosis at the age of 33 is the
most challenging and traumatic experience I
will ever go through.
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