In this episode host Steve Bland and guests explore a lesser known cancer that impacts thousands of people each year in England. Around 6,000 people each year in England are diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer, but because symptoms can be vague or mistaken for other conditions, diagnosis is often delayed, making awareness among both patients and healthcare professionals vital.
Steve is joined by Cathy Bouvier-Ellis, CEO and Co-Founder of Neuroendocrine Cancer UK, along with Jane Aylott, a patient sharing her lived experience, and Sarita Yaganti, Programme Lead for Personalised Cancer Care at the North East London Cancer Alliance, to discuss the challenges of diagnosing neuroendocrine cancer, the signs and symptoms to look out for, treatment options available, and the importance of connecting patients with specialist support networks.
Whether you are a patient, carer, or healthcare professional, this conversation sheds light on why early recognition matters and how support can make a huge difference for patients with neuroendocrine cancer.
Key facts and stats
· Around 6,000 people are diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) each year in the UK.
· NETs account for about 1–2% of all cancers, but incidence has been increasing over the past two decades.
· Many patients experience delays of 5–7 years on average before receiving an accurate diagnosis.
· Common sites include the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, and lungs.