1. Training for Practice Nurses and Health Care Assistants on EARLY PRESENTATION OF CANCER
Trainer Notes:
This course has been written by Dr C Hunt (GP Primary Care Lead South Cumbria and North Lancs, GMLSC Strategic Clinical Network), John Gorman (Health Professional Engagement Facilitator, CRUK) and Sarah West (Project Officer, GMLSC Strategic Clinical Network).
The aim of the course is to provide Practice Nurses and Health Care Assistants with a comprehensive overview around the prevention and early diagnosis of cancer and the key role they can play within primary care. In addition to the course, or specific modules, may also be used for non clinical staff.
The training course contains the following modules:
Introduction (This section)
Prevention and Early Diagnosis
Cancer Screening Programmes
Signs and Symptoms of Cancer
Case Studies
It can be delivered in a half day workshop session or as a series of one hour modules. All participants should be issued with the workbook which accompanies this course to record their learning and any identified actions/ideas they may wish to implement in their individual Practices. The course has been developed to be interactive, with plenty of opportunity for discussion and idea generation.
It is envisaged that the course would be delivered jointly by a Clinical Cancer Lead and a non Clinical Cancer Lead/Champion.
It might be worth suggesting in this introductory section that discussing personal experiences of cancer be avoided, as although these are important, they may distract from the overall learning in the course.
HCA PN Early presentation of cancer training slides

2. Is this my job? Introduction Trainer Notes:
Ask the question “Is the prevention and early diagnosis part of my job?”
Await responses, give participants the opportunity to share their thoughts
If you said yes – are you on the correct course.
If no, stay around and see if you change your mind by the end.
HCA PN Early presentation of cancer training slides

3. We all have a part to play
Trainer Notes:
Key messages to deliver
- We all have a part to play to support earlier identification of cancer.
- We work closely with our patients, but also have family and friends who might present with symptoms of cancer and the value of the screening programmes.
- We can make a difference and save lives.
- England’s cancer strategy aims to save 30,000 lives a year by 2020 – many will be through earlier presentation and changes in lifestyle.
HCA PN Early presentation of cancer training slides

4. Why do people delay in seeking help?
I just don’t want to think about it
Trainer Notes:
Ask the question “So why do people delay in seeking help?”
“Have a few minutes to discuss with your neighbours and see what you come up with.”
NOTE: Images are designed to fly in following discussion
? Lack of knowledge or awareness. It is not uncommon for people to have low knowledge of cancer symptoms
? Worries about the consequences of treatment – “I don’t want to lose my hair”
? Not wanting to bother the doctor who is very busy.
* Remind participants to capture their thoughts and the above in their workbook
? Trivialising serious symptoms – stiff upper lip.
HCA PN Early presentation of cancer training slides

5. So what can we do?
Know what the early signs and symptoms of
cancer are.
Learn and understand about the cancer screening programmes
Break the silence that surrounds cancer
Encourage the message that early diagnosis saves lives.
Reinforce the messages of healthy lifestyles reducing the risk of cancer.
Trainer Notes:
So what can we do?
5 minutes to make a list, in the workbook.
 Improve our awareness of the early signs and symptoms of cancer.
 Improve our understanding and awareness of the cancer screening programmes
 Break the silence that surrounds cancer
 Encourage the message that early diagnosis saves lives.
 Reinforce the messages of healthy lifestyles reducing the risk of cancer.
HCA PN Early presentation of cancer training slides