Supporting primary care to deliver earlier diagnosis for suspected bowel cancer patients
Event details
- Date: Thursday 19 June 2025
- Time: 6.30 – 7.30pm
- Who's it for: Primary care health professionals
- Where: online via Zoom
Session details
This session will be led by Claire Coughlan, Clinical Lead at Bowel Cancer UK and Nurse Consultant in colorectal cancer at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. It'll provide an overview of colorectal cancer, its risk factors and red flag symptoms. As well as, the use of FIT in symptomatic patients within primary care and the bowel cancer screening programme as a route to diagnosis. The session will also be outlining the diagnostic pathway and addressing the importance of earlier diagnosis. Claire will be joined by Dr Anisha Patel who will deliver a short session exploring cancer care reviews within primary care. Claire will also share some information about the support services and education opportunities we have available.
This session will equip learners with an understanding of:
- colorectal cancer, risks factors and red flag symptoms
- using FIT in symptomatic patients
- the diagnostic pathway and importance of earlier diagnosis
- cancer care reviews
You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with Claire and Anisha at the end of the event.
About the speaker
Claire Coughlan, Clinical Lead, Bowel Cancer UK and Nurse Consultant in Colorectal Cancer, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Claire is Clinical Lead for Bowel Cancer UK, her focus is on provision of support for patients, health professional education and ensuring that the charities clinical focus remains current and relevant. Claire is also a Consultant Nurse in Colorectal Cancer with expertise in bowel cancer follow up, genetics and symptom assessment. Claire leads a Fundamentals of colorectal nursing MSc module and is currently undertaking a PhD in the priorities for bowel cancer follow up care across diverse communities.
Dr. Anisha Patel, General Practitioner, stage 3B Colorectal Cancer Survivor, Author, Media Dr
Dr. Anisha Patel is a General Practitioner (GP) and stage 3 rectal cancer survivor passionate about raising awareness of cancer, early onset colorectal cancer, early screening, health inequalities and the impact of patient experiences on healthcare. As an ambassador for Bowel Cancer UK, she works extensively to improve understanding of bowel cancer among healthcare professionals and the public, as well as raising awareness of issues facing those with life after cancer.
Anisha is the Amazon bestselling author of Everything You’d Hoped You’d Never Need to Know About Bowel Cancer, a comprehensive guide providing essential information for patients and their families.
In her role as a clinician and advocate, she collaborates with Team Prospect, a research team funded by the Cancer Grand challenges investigating the causes of early-onset colorectal cancer, highlighting the alarming rise in cases among younger adults. She is also part of the UK EOCRC Consortium.
For more information, please visit www.dranisha.co.uk.
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