In this issue, you can catch up on all things new…
- OPA wins Healthcare Support of the Year Award 2023/24
- Awareness Campaign Update
- OPA Shop
- Fundraiser Events
- Teddy Bears
- London Meeting
- Christmas Cards
and lots more…
In this issue, you can catch up on all things new…
and lots more…
The OPA have launched a new Notebook Organiser including sticky notes, sticky flags, and a satin soft touch finish pen.
OPA Notebook Organiser – The OPA
New and improved OPA Stylus Pens.
Thank you to CP Hart Bathrooms, Carolyn, Deb and Team for supporting our OPA London Meeting and providing a meeting room.
The presentation in London on the 16th of September given by Joanna Taylor, Oesophagogastric CNS, can be downloaded from the links below in Microsoft Powerpoint and Adobe PDf format.
Thank you to all that attended.
Download the presentation as PDF
Download the presentation as Microsoft Powerpoint
The Government has confirmed that NHS England cancer targets are to be streamlined, moving from 10 performance standards to three from October.
The new guidelines will move away from the “outdated” 2-week wait target, the Government said, which will be replaced with the Faster Diagnosis Standard.
Currently, anyone who is referred urgently by their GP with suspected cancer must be seen by a specialist within 14 days.
The Faster Diagnosis Standard was initially introduced in April 2021 but has been under “rigorous consultation”, according to the Government. It aims to diagnose 75% of people with cancer at an early stage, as well as cutting down the time between referral and diagnosis to reduce anxiety for patients. It also supports a goal outlined in the NHS Long Term Plan to have 55,000 more people surviving cancer for 5 years or longer by 2028.
‘I am supporting the OPA’s mission to raise awareness for Oesophageal and Gastric cancers, as well as, continue their amazing work in supporting patients, their families and also helping prevent this terrible disease – which doesn’t get as much wide spread attention as it should do – so, the more we raise, support and talk about the OPA the more aware people will be!
The OPA is close to mine and my family’s heart as sadly my dad passed away in March after a hard thought battle with Oesophageal cancer.
We decided to honour my dad, Roy’s memory by walking Ben Nevis for the OPA on a sunny day in early June, it was a great experience – even getting lucky enough to see the recently retired C130 Hercules fly past a couple of times at the summit which added to a very fulfilling day especially as my dad was a big fan of RAF aircrafts!
I hope the money raised will go a long way to supporting other families and individuals who are sadly going through a similar situation. hopefully, it’s the start of many fundraisers to help the OPA continue the great work they do.’ – Stan Armstrong
Brief overview:
The Cancer Prevention Group at King’s College London need to hear your views on a large-scale new research project they we will be running.
Click here, or on the image below, to complete the short survey (by the 11th August). Your input is greatly valued.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Best Wishes,
Team OPA
Older people with unexplained fatigue or mental health problems should be offered a vitamin B12 test, according to our latest guidance. Our draft publication offers evidence-based recommendations on how to diagnose vitamin B12 deficiency and which treatment option to use. It recommends that patients should be offered a blood test if they have 1 symptom and at least 1 risk factor. One in 10 people over the age of 75 have a vitamin B12 deficiency, which can lead to anaemia, blurred vision, impaired balance and delirium. Up to 46,000 people could benefit from being diagnosed.
Consultation on our draft guideline is open until 5pm on Tuesday 22 August 2023.
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/GID-NG10176/documents/draft-guidelinedraft-guideline (nice.org.uk)
Thank you to Ray Clark, who is holding another fundraising charity night where a donation will go to the OPA!
The night will include signing along with Ray to hits from the 60’s and 70’s and feet tapping to the best of brass, Swinton Training Band.
When? – Saturday 16th September 2023 @ 7:30pm
Where? – The Kirk Theatre, Pickering
Tickets are £10 and can be purchased online – https://kirktheatre.co.uk/ or by calling the box office on 01751 474 833.
Hello Summer, and welcome to the OPA Summer Newsletter 2023!
We hope you enjoy the read.