Why This Campaign Matters
Neuroendocrine cancers are challenging to diagnose and manage due to their complexity, uncommon nature, and vague symptoms often mistaken for conditions like IBS, asthma, or menopause. Historically, diagnostic pathways have been unclear, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, disparities in care exist across the UK, with many patients not receiving consistent, high-quality care.
Campaign Objectives
Educating Healthcare Professionals
- Develop resources to support early recognition, diagnosis, and management of neuroendocrine cancer, including its symptoms, clinical presentations, and investigations.
- Target groups include GPs, gastroenterologists, general surgeons, and clinical nurse specialists, with plans to expand to other specialties.
Improving Patient Outcomes
- Establish a national care pathway for neuroendocrine cancer, ensuring consistent and optimal treatment across the UK.
- Empower patients to take an active role in their care, ensuring their priorities and well-being are central to decision-making.
Raising Awareness Among Policymakers
- Advocate for the inclusion of neuroendocrine cancer in national cancer plans.
- Work with commissioners and policymakers to prioritize equitable care and access to specialised treatments.
Achievements
- Developed practical overviews and educational resources to help GPs and healthcare teams recognise and diagnose neuroendocrine cancer.
- Partnered with the Primary Care Society of Gastroenterology to deliver targeted educational talks for GPs.
- Created training modules with the Royal College of General Practitioners to address delays in diagnosis.
- Developed the Neuroendocrine Cancer Nurse Competencies and launched the NCUK Training Academy, providing resources and training for nurses and allied health professionals.
Future Plans
- Launch a dedicated website for healthcare professionals to access neuroendocrine cancer-specific resources.
- Finalise and implement a national neuroendocrine cancer care pathway, offering clear guidelines for diagnosis and management.
- Host educational events tailored to non-specialist healthcare providers, focusing on gastroenterologists, surgeons, and nurse specialists.
- Expand collaborations with GP organisations to deliver practical education on a broader scale.
Supporting Our Campaign
Spotlight on Neuroendocrine Cancer is a rebranding of our previous campaigns, Bridging the Gap and Mind the Gap, which focused on addressing disparities in care and supporting patients’ psychological needs. By combining these efforts, we continue to provide robust resources for healthcare professionals while supporting patients’ emotional and psychological well-being.
If you’d like to support this campaign and help improve the lives of neuroendocrine cancer patients, please consider donating or reaching out to us for more information.
Get Involved
Together, we can improve awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of neuroendocrine cancer. Join us in our mission to ensure that every patient receives the care they deserve—at the right place, by the right professional, and at the right time.