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Welcome to this week’s myHSN Week in Health – a round-up of the biggest health news this week, and what it means for you
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National lung cancer screening in the UK gets green light
Life-extending treatment made available for advanced gastrointestinal cancer
Largest nursing strike in NHS history announced
GPs to access tests designed to cut antibiotic use
Women who suffer miscarriage can get pregnant sooner
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National lung cancer screening in the UK gets green light
What?
The introduction of a national lung cancer screening programme in the UK has been recommended by the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC). UK residents aged 55-74 years with a history of smoking will be eligible, and the programme is to be linked to stop smoking services.
Why?
Screening programmes, such as the already-implemented bowel and cervical cancer screening programmes are effective in catching cancers early in certain groups of people. Lung cancer rates are increasing, and it is crucial that cases are caught before spreading to allow for a chance of cure.
How (does it affect you)?
Currently, the as part of the Targeted Lung Health Check, a low-dose CT scan offered to certain groups is an NHS pilot. While a national screening programme is not yet in place, this strong recommendation from a national body will likely see it implemented in the following years. Smokers and ex-smokers should see their GP in the event of a cough that won’t go away, or if there is new blood in their spit – these symptoms may represent lung cancer.
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Life-extending treatment made available for advanced gastrointestinal cancer
What?
Nivolumab (Opdvivo®), an immunotherapy drug, has been made available to patients with advanced, inoperable or metastatic gastro-oesophageal cancer. Patients who have tumours that are likely to be responsive to immunotherapy are eligible for the treatment.
Why?
Evidence suggests that adding immunotherapy to conventional chemotherapy can increase the amount of time before the cancer gets worse. It has also been shown to increase life expectancy. Immunotherapy drugs are expensive, and this news comes after a review has found their use to be cost-effective for the NHS.
How (does it affect you)?
If you or a loved one are affected by HER2-negative, advanced or metastatic gastric, gastro-oesophageal junction or oesophageal adenocarcinoma, then this news is relevant to you. It signals that innovative cancer therapies are being taken seriously by the NHS, and these drugs offer a chance of extended survival for patients. Ask your oncologist if you are eligible for this treatment.
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Largest nursing strike in NHS history announced
What?
Nurses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are set to strike on 15th and 20th December, in response to the government’s refusal to honour their pay demands.
Why?
Nurses had asked for a 19% pay increase to bring their salaries in line against a back drop of rising inflation and a cost-of-living crisis. Any less than 19% would represent a real-terms pay cut – pay that increases, but does not keep up with the price of goods and services.
How (does it affect you)?
On the above dates, emergency care will not be affected. However, elective services like scans, surgery and cancer treatments will be hit by the strike action, causing delays to care and an increase to the growing backlog of non-urgent care in the UK.
Nurses in GP practices will not strike as they were not balloted, so whilst GP care will likely be largely unaffected, it may suffer due to overspill from hospitals. Around 40% of hospital nurses will not be entitled to strike as the numbers in their local hospitals did not meet the striking threshold.
Search here at the bottom of the page to see if your local hospital is affected.
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GPs to access tests designed to cut antibiotic use
What?
A pilot service is to be rolled out in Bristol GP practices to assess whether testing for viruses or bacteria in patient’s nasal and oral cavities can reduce the number of antibiotic prescriptions given out. A swab test will be performed on patients who come to the GP with cold-like symptoms, and a result will be delivered in 45 minutes. If the test shows a likely viral cause, patients can be reassured that antibiotics are likely not needed in their case.
Why?
Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed by GPs to patients with viral illnesses as they can mimic often more dangerous, but treatable, bacterial infections. Sometimes, antibiotics will be given to patients who do not require them. This leads to the development of antibiotic resistance, an ominous and growing issue worldwide, where antibiotics are becoming ineffective for bacterial infections.
This pilot is seen as a way of reducing unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions, whilst giving reassurance to patients and doctors that the decision to not prescribe antibiotics was correct.
How (does it affect you)?
If you are a patient in Bristol, your GP may have signed up to this pilot, and you will receive a swab if you attend with a cold-like illness. Ultimately, by reducing unnecessary antibiotics, we strengthen our future ability to treat these infections when they arise.
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Women who suffer miscarriage can get pregnant sooner
What?
New research has shown that for many women who have suffered a miscarriage, the traditional advice of waiting at least 6 months to try for another pregnancy may be outdated. Evidence has shown that some women who conceive within 6 months of a miscarriage, reduce the later risk of a miscarriage by a third.
Why?
The research reveals only that this does happen, not why. Women miscarry for a number of reasons – if it happens multiple times, it is important to ask your GP for a referral to a specialist to investigate the reason.
How (does it affect you)?
If you have had a miscarriage, this new research may give some comfort that trying again within 6 months may actually increase the chance of a successful pregnancy. If you do not feel ready to try again, you should not feel forced or pressured. This is new research and the reasons why this happens for some mothers is under investigation. Tommy’s is a useful resource and offers sound advice if you or a loved one has been affected by miscarriage.
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As always, best wishes from myHSN!
