Screening and immunisation
Earlier diagnosis is dependent on people understanding and being aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer and by taking up screening programmes. Working with local public health teams, Primary Care Networks and community partners we will:
- Raise awareness of signs and symptoms of cancer
- Support increased uptake of cancer screening programmes
- Explore initiatives that lead to the early identification of cancer
- Support smoking cessation initiatives
We are also committed to ensuring that prevention is at the heart of our work. It is estimated 4 in 10 cases (40%) of cancer could be prevented through lifestyle changes by reducing key risk factors such as tobacco consumption, poor diet, excess weight, a lack of physical activity, excess alcohol consumption and UV exposure.
In September 2026, we launched our first five-year Early Cancer Diagnosis Framework, that sets out key principles and recommendations to support cancer prevention and improve early cancer detection and diagnosis. Find out more about the framework below.
SELCA launches five-year Early Cancer Diagnosis Framework
The South East London Cancer Alliance (SELCA) has launched its first five-year Early Cancer Diagnosis Framework, that sets out key principles and recommendations to support cancer prevention and improve early cancer detection and diagnosis.
The framework brings together national and local evidence and data, and insights from patients, community groups, charities, public health teams and NHS partners, along with learning from SELCA’s programmes, to identify actions needed to improve early cancer diagnosis across South East London over the next five years. The framework comes at a pivotal time as the NHS moves towards delivering its new 10-Year Health Plan and National Cancer Plan.
Who is this framework intended for?
The framework has been developed for healthcare professionals and system partners across South East London (SEL) who are involved in cancer improvement and delivery at neighbourhood, borough and SEL level. The framework has been designed to support partners to align priorities, strengthen collaboration and identify opportunities for joint action.
What is the aim of this strategic framework?
- To ensure earlier cancer detection and diagnosis for all individuals in South East London, particularly supporting those most affected by health inequalities, so people with cancer survive longer and can live healthier lives.
- To support cancer prevention through the cancer-focused areas set out in this framework, while also working collaboratively with partners on wider prevention opportunities.
Although this framework does not mandate specific actions, we encourage healthcare professionals and system partners working across South East London to review the priorities and recommendations in the framework. We hope it will support the development of aligned plans, strengthen collaboration and inspire new opportunities for joint working to improve outcomes for people affected by cancer.
Please read the full framework here.
If you have any questions about the framework or would like to discuss the priority pillars and recommendations, please contact: gstt.selca@nhs.net
Primary prevention – action that stops problems from happening, aiming to reduce incidence of disease and health problems within the population or targeting high risk groups within the population. Activities to address lifestyle factors/modifiable risk factors can prevent many diseases, as well as cancer.
Secondary prevention - involves identifying disease before symptoms have progressed, for example adult cancer screening programmes. Cancer screening not only enables earlier detection before symptoms appear, so that cancers are diagnosed at an early stage when they are more treatable (secondary prevention), but can also identify and treat pre-cancerous changes such as cervical dysplasia or colorectal polyps, which enables intervention before they become cancer (primary prevention).
Tertiary prevention - involves supporting people to manage symptoms and prevent further disease progression once the disease has already developed, including helping people manage their disease and reducing harm, including through treatment.
Prevention is now a key deliverable for the Cancer Alliance. In 2026/27, we will be continuing the work in increasing uptake of HPV vaccination, to support the cervical screening elimination strategy which has been set both by NHS England and the World Health Organisation as a global priority.
- As part of the Lung Cancer Screening Programme, a primary prevention intervention has been integrated within the pathway, offering smoking cessation advice and onward referrals, ensuring that the programme supports both lung cancer early detection and diagnosis, and wider prevention.
- SELCA has worked with Southwark Public Health on a pilot to include discussions on cancer screening during NHS Health Checks.