The 'Early Presentation of Cancer Symptoms Collaborative' is an exciting programme whose aim is to help people to recognise symptoms and go for help when needed. People living in some areas of North East Lincolnshire are less likely to spot cancer symptoms and less likely to go for help. That's a real problem as early detection saves lives. Survival rates from most cancers are getting better and better.

The programme is led by Julie Grimmer and supported by three teams of community members. Currently the three teams work on Cervical, Ovarian, Bowel and Prostate Cancers. It is important that our local community are provided with the relevant information, working together to build a healthier community.

The community teams have worked closely with health care professionals to create their own unique targeted approaches to work in their own communities. Messages have been tailored and tested in localities, using innovative mediums, such as beer mats, bookmarks and calendars in order to present information in different ways which are more receptive to local people. The community team members are themselves 'passports' to their own communities, creating a very different approach to delivering health care messages.