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Norfolk cancer patients collaborate with NHS on toolkit

Phil Barnes Photography Gemma, Florence, Craig and Arthur EasterbrookPhil Barnes Photography
Gemma Easterbrook (left) helped develop the toolkit before she passed away in 2023

People with cancer have helped the NHS develop an information pack to support others with the illness.

NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) has launched a cancer information toolkit.

It brings together information for people at different stages of their cancer journey.

Gemma Easterbrook, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2018 and passed away in November 2023, helped to curate the guide's content before she died.

Her husband, Craig Easterbrook, from Mulbarton, Norfolk, said: "Much of the [cancer] journey can be overwhelming and there is often a lot of information to process.

"This toolkit is not only useful for people living with cancer but also for loved ones who can refer to it at different milestones and come back to it whenever they need it.

"Gemma always wanted good things to come from her personal cancer journey. Her work on this project was another way of dedicating herself to this goal."

Norfolk and Waveney ICB Women holding handsNorfolk and Waveney ICB
The guide offers people at various stages of cancer information and support options

Dr Suzanne Phillips, the clinical lead for cancer for NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB, said: "As clinicians, we're keen to signpost people to the support services on offer to them, whether these are provided by the NHS, charities or other organisations.

"By bringing all the local information together in one place I really feel this will help people to better access what they need."

The toolkit follows the announcement in February that King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer.

As a result the NHS saw 51% rise in people searching for information about cancer in the 24 hours after the announcement.

Cancer will affect one in two people in their lifetime.

Maggie Tween, the head of cancer for NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB, said: "We're empowering people with the information to make decisions about their care and support which are right for them.

Everyone has a different journey, but we want people to know that they are not alone."

The toolkit is available in addition to all the cancer services provided by the NHS in Norfolk and Waveney ICB.

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