North East London Cancer Alliance

07/08/2026

☀️ Did you miss the recent episode of Taking Control of Cancer?

Steve Bland and Femi Odewale covered five of the biggest cancer stories from July 2026, and it was one of the more hopeful episodes in a while. Cervical cancer deaths have reached zero in vaccinated women. Record numbers of cancer patients are rating their NHS care nine out of ten. And AI is edging closer to being able to flag breast cancer risk before a diagnosis is confirmed.

The episode also covered Paul Merson's skin cancer diagnosis and the seven warning signs that should never be ignored, as well as new genome testing innovation at Addenbrooke's that could widen access to advanced cancer care. Catch up now.

🔗 Find out more and listen: https://www.nelcanceralliance.nhs.uk/podcast/episode-64-breaking-cancer-news-july-2026

🎧 Catch up now:
Spotify: https://bit.ly/4pQTvA2
Apple: https://bit.ly/4bq9XS3
Amazon: https://bit.ly/4yZuyXu
YouTube: https://bit.ly/4xiEKbY

07/08/2026

Could you be at higher risk of skin cancer?
Anyone can develop skin cancer, regardless of their skin tone or age. However, some people have a higher risk than others.
You may be at greater risk if you:
☀️ Have fair skin that burns easily.
👱 Have blonde or red hair.
✨ Have lots of freckles or moles.
🛏️ Have used sunbeds or regularly tanned.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Have a family history of skin cancer.
Whatever your risk, protecting your skin is one of the best ways to reduce your chances of developing skin cancer.

05/08/2026

This month's round-up is a big one. Steve Bland and Femi Odewale cover five major cancer stories from July 2026, starting with the extraordinary news that cervical cancer deaths have fallen to zero in women who received the HPV vaccine. It is one of the clearest demonstrations yet of what vaccination can achieve.

They also dig into new research on AI as an early alert system for breast cancer, the skin cancer warning signs that Paul Merson's diagnosis has brought back into the spotlight, record numbers of cancer patients rating NHS care nine out of ten, and how Addenbrooke's is expanding access to advanced genome testing for cancer patients. It is a packed episode with stories that matter for anyone in north east London and beyond.

🔗 Read more and listen: https://www.nelcanceralliance.nhs.uk/podcast/episode-64-breaking-cancer-news-july-2026

🎧 Listen now:
Spotify: https://bit.ly/4pQTvA2
Apple: https://bit.ly/4bq9XS3
Amazon: https://bit.ly/4yZuyXu
YouTube: https://bit.ly/4xiEKbY

04/08/2026

New research has shown that the HPV vaccine has reduced cervical cancer deaths to zero among young women who were vaccinated in England. Zero.

This is the strongest evidence yet that cervical cancer could become one of the first cancers ever to be eliminated. The vaccination programme is estimated to have already saved around 200 lives since 2008.

Here in north east London, we're working to make sure as many people as possible are protected. That means visiting freshers' fairs and colleges, reaching communities who might have missed the vaccine at school, and running dedicated events for people who may face barriers to accessing sexual health services.

If you or someone you know may still be eligible, find out more here:
🌐 www.nelcanceralliance.nhs.uk/hpv-vaccine

What is HPV?HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is a very common virus. Around 8 in 10 people will come into contact with it at some point in their lives. It spreads through skin to skin sexual contact. Most of the time, your body clears the virus without any problems. But in some cases, HPV can stay in the....

04/08/2026

🔎 What if AI could spot signs of breast cancer before a formal diagnosis is even made?

That is one of the questions being explored in our latest episode, the July cancer news round-up with Steve Bland and Femi Odewale. Research is now suggesting that AI may be able to flag early warning signals in patient data before cancer becomes clinically apparent, which could be a genuinely significant shift in how we detect breast cancer in the future.

The episode also covers the landmark news that cervical cancer deaths have dropped to zero in women given the HPV vaccine, Paul Merson's skin cancer diagnosis and the warning signs every man should know, plus a new approach to genome testing at Addenbrooke's that could make advanced cancer diagnostics more widely available. A lot to get through.

🔗 Find out more: https://www.nelcanceralliance.nhs.uk/podcast/episode-64-breaking-cancer-news-july-2026

🎧 Listen:
Spotify: https://bit.ly/4pQTvA2
Apple: https://bit.ly/4bq9XS3
Amazon: https://bit.ly/4yZuyXu
YouTube: https://bit.ly/4xiEKbY

In this month's news round-up, Steve and Femi cover everything goin...

04/08/2026

Think sunburn is just part of summer? You’re not alone – 71% of young people say they’ve been sunburnt.
Whether you’re heading out for a run, enjoying a stroll in the park, or meeting friends for a coffee, it’s easy to get caught out by the sun – even on days that don’t feel especially hot.
What many people don’t realise is that UV damage builds up over your lifetime, starting with your very first sunburn.
🧴 Wear SPF 30+ every day the UV Index is 3 or above.
☀️ Try to avoid being in the direct sun between 11-3pm
🌳 Take breaks in the shade.
👒 Cover up with a hat and sunglasses.
🔎 Get to know your skin and check for any changes in moles or marks.

03/08/2026

Are you living with bladder cancer in north east London?

This free information day from The Urology Foundation is worth knowing about. A full day of expert talks, interactive workshops, and real conversations — covering nutrition, intimacy, relationships, and wellbeing. You can attend in person in Birmingham or join virtually from home.

It's designed entirely around people living with bladder cancer. Their experiences, their questions, their wellbeing.

📅 Friday 25 September 2026
⏰ 10.00am – 4.00pm
📍 Leonardo Royal Hotel, Birmingham — or online
🍽️ Refreshments and lunch included (in person)

Register: www.theurologyfoundation.org
📧 [email protected]
📞 020 3417 0920

01/08/2026

Today is World Lung Cancer Day.

Here's the one thing we want everyone in north east London to know: a cough that lasts three weeks or more could be a sign of lung cancer. It's probably nothing serious. But if it is cancer, finding it early makes it much more treatable.

Don't wait to see if it goes away on its own. Contact your GP practice.

Other symptoms to know about: chest infections that keep coming back, breathlessness that won't clear, coughing up blood, pain when breathing or coughing, unexplained tiredness, or losing weight without trying.

If something doesn't feel right, your NHS wants to see you.

🌐 nhs.uk/cancersymptoms

31/07/2026

Personalised cancer care

Good cancer care is about more than diagnosis and treatment. It should also support people’s physical health, emotional wellbeing and quality of life.

During 2025–2026, we continued prehabilitation services, expanded psychological support training, established an Unpaid Carers Network and saw a 63% increase in end-of-treatment Holistic Needs Assessments.

Read more about our work to improve personalised cancer care across north east London:
https://www.nelcanceralliance.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/2026-07/NELCA-Annual-Report-2025-2026-Final-High-Res-Web.pdf



Figures are taken from the North East London Cancer Alliance Annual Report 2025–2026.

30/07/2026

Londoners, don’t let the heatwave catch you out!
Did you know that even a trip to the shops or a walk around the park can increase how much UV you are exposed to?
Around 90% of skin cancers are linked to overexposure to UV rays, making simple daily habits one of the best ways to reduce your risk.
Before you head out:
✔️ Check the UV Index.
✔️ Wear SPF 30+.
✔️ Cover yourself up
Whatever’s on your summer agenda, make sun protection part of the plan and Get Sun Set.