Cancer services

Caring for people with cancer

We urge you to talk to your GP if you notice any unexplained changes to your body, such as the sudden appearance of a lump, blood in your urine or a change to your usual bowel habits.

We are pleased that survival rates for cancer are improving and the number of deaths as a result of cancer has decreased, as more people live with cancer as a long-tern condition. However, cancer is still one of the main causes of death in Bromley (approximately one person in three dies as a result of cancer). The number of people with cancer continues to rise. Too many people are diagnosed late, which affects survival. The advice is therefore to get tested early, so please do not delay in visiting your GP if you have any concerns.

What are we doing to improve services?

We need to make sure that all patients with suspected cancer are seen and treated within nationally agreed timescales and receive the very best treatment that is available.

You can read about our plans to improve cancer care in our commissioning intentions. 

What benefits will patients see when we make changes?

• Improved experience when receiving treatment for cancer
• Shorter waiting times for diagnosis
• Consistent and high quality care
• Specialist care available at the right time and in the right place
• Improved physical and mental health
• More information about their treatment and more choice
• Feeling more in control of their condition
• More awareness about cancer – the signs, symptoms, screenings and treatments.

Knowing the signs of cancer could save your life – visit NHS Choices ‘Be clear on cancer’ pages and get to know the early signs of cancer.