This toolkit has been developed to increase awareness and knowledge of cancer and the NHS cancer screening programmes. It is aimed at staff who will be responsible for supporting patients in a variety of settings, but who all share a diagnosis of SMI. 

In 2024 Leeds Health Awareness (LHA) secured funding to gather insight into the cancer knowledge and awareness of staff and patients in the SMI sector and this toolkit is the result of that.

There are approximately 8,000 adults recorded as living with a severe mental illness (SMI) by Leeds Primary Care, this number is higher than the national average (Mental Health Needs Assessment). Adults living with an SMI experience additional health inequality, and the health inequalities that this cohort face are heightened by the fact that these patients have an average life expectancy that is 15-20 years less than the general population (NHS). There is evidence to suggest that this group may not prioritize their physical health, and this includes attendance of the NHS cancer screening programmes. In addition to poorer cancer related health outcomes, this group are 3 times more likely to smoke, have double the risk of being overweight/obese and are more likely to have alcohol/drug dependencies (NHS).

Public Health England analysed inequalities in the uptake of bowel, breast, and cervical screening by people with and without SMI.  People with SMI were 18% more likely not to have participated in breast screening, 20% more likely not to have participated in cervical screening; and 31% more likely not to have participated in bowel screening, within the recommended period than people without SMI[1]. 

A definition of SMI

Serious mental illness (SMI) is defined as a mental, behavioural, or emotional disorder resulting in serious functional impairment, which substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.

To effectively complete the toolkit, you should complete each individual module in order ensuring that you complete the assessment at the end of each module before moving onto the next one. Once you have completed the modules you can then refer to them individually in the future as a reference resource or use them in your own work to share messages with colleagues

This toolkit has been developed with the support of the Leeds Health Awareness Service (LHAS) – formerly the Leeds Cancer Awareness Service.  The LHA has existed since 2017 in Leeds and prioritise the most challenged and disadvantaged populations in Leeds.  The work of the service involves community outreach, training, social media and one to one support for people in a range of groups and communities.

The LHA is supported by 150 digital volunteers who share health messages on digital platforms and 75 face to face volunteers who attend large community venues to share messages on long-term conditions, including cancer.

For more information visit the LHA website www.leedshealth.co.uk

[1] Public Health England (2021), Severe mental illness (SMI):Inequalities in cancer screening uptake report, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/severe-mental-illness-inequalities-in-cancer-screening-uptake/severe-mental-illness-smi-inequalities-in-cancer-screening-uptake-report