SPOCC Programme: Improving Cancer Diagnosis for Patients with Pre-Existing Conditions

Policy Connect and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Health are hosting a parliamentary event to present findings from the SPOCC (SPOtting Cancer among Comorbidities) programme, a five-year research initiative funded by the NIHR and led by the University of Exeter in collaboration with University College London. 

The SPOCC programme investigates how pre-existing conditions affect the timeliness of cancer diagnosis, and what can be done to improve outcomes for patients at risk of being diagnosed late. The event will share key research findings, including insights into which patient groups face the greatest challenges, and will present early results from a new communication tool designed to help patients with anxiety and/or depression and their GPs identify and discuss potential cancer symptoms sooner. 

Chaired by Dr Simon Opher MP, the event will bring together parliamentarians, clinicians, researchers and policymakers to explore how these findings can inform improvements to cancer diagnosis pathways and support better outcomes for patients across England. 

Speakers include: 

• Gary Abel, Professor of Medical Statistics and Health Services Research and Deputy Director of the Exeter Collaboration for Academic Primary Care (APEx), University of Exeter 
• Sam Merriel, GP, GP and NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer at The University of Manchester 
• Sarah Dean, Professor of Psychology Applied to Rehabilitation and Health, University of Exeter
• Sam Harrison, Head of Strategic Evidence and ICBP Lead, Cancer Research UK 

For further information about the event, please contact Lavanya Rangarajan (lavanya.rangarajan@policyconnect.org.uk)