Have a personal or library account? Click to login
Community Cancer Champions’ Project: Learning From the Design and Implementation of an Integrated Health and Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Asset-Based Community Development Project – A Case Study From Plymouth, England Cover

Community Cancer Champions’ Project: Learning From the Design and Implementation of an Integrated Health and Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Asset-Based Community Development Project – A Case Study From Plymouth, England

International Journal of Integrated Care
Volume 25 (2025): Issue 4
By:
Open Access
|Oct 2025

References

  1. 1Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel R, Laversanne M, Soerjomataram I, Jemal A, Bray F. Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2021;71(3):209–249. DOI: 10.3322/caac.21660
    Back to article
  2. 2World Health Organization. Global cancer burden growing, amidst mounting need for services. [webpage on the internet]. [cited 2024 November 19]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/01-02-2024-global-cancer-burden-growing--amidst-mounting-need-for-services#:~:text=Over%2035%20million%20new%20cancer%20cases%20are%20predicted,several%20of%20which%20are%20associated%20with%20socioeconomic%20development.
    Back to article
  3. 3Islami F, Guerra C, Minihan A, Yabroff K, Fedewa S, Sloan K, Wiedt T, Thomson B, Siegel R, Nargis N, Winn R, Lacasse L, Makaroff L, Daniels E, Patel A, Cance W, Jemal A. American Cancer Society’s report on the status of cancer disparities in the United States. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2022;72(2):112–143. DOI: 10.3322/caac.21703
    Back to article
  4. 4Rachet B, Ellis L, Maringe C, Chu t, Nur U, Quaresma M, Shah A, Walters S, Woods L, Forman D, Coleman M. Socioeconomic inequalities in cancer survival in England after the NHS cancer plan. British Journal of Cancer. 2010;103(4):446–453. DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605752
    Back to article
  5. 5Cancer Research UK. (2025). Cancer inequalities in the UK (Report No. RG_0054). Cancer Research UK. [webpage on the internet]. [cited 2025 June 06]. Available from: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/sites/default/files/rg_0054_cancer_inequalities_in_the_uk_r5_acc.pdf
    Back to article
  6. 6O’Connor J, Sedghi T, Dhodapkar M, Kane M, Gross, C. Factors Associated With Cancer Disparities Among Low-, Medium-, and High-Income US Counties. JAMA Network Open Oncology. 2018;1(6):e183146. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.3146
    Back to article
  7. 7Forbes L, Warburton F, Richards M, Ramirez A. Risk factors for delay in symptomatic presentation: a survey of cancer patients. British Journal of Cancer. 2014;581–588. DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.304
    Back to article
  8. 8Sheaff R, Ellis Paine A, Exworthy M, Gibson A, Stuart J, Jochum V, Allen P, Clark J, Mannion R, Asthana S. Consequences of how third sector organisations are commissioned in the NHS and local authorities in England: a mixed-methods study. Health and Social Care Delivery Research. 2024;12(39). DOI: 10.3310/NTDT7965
    Back to article
  9. 9Baker C, Mansfield Z. Cancer statistics for England. London: House of Commons Library; 2023 February. [cited 2024 16 November]. Available from: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn06887/.
    Back to article
  10. 10Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. Public health profiles. Public Health England. [webpage on the internet]. [cited 2024 November 20]. Available from: https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/search/cancer%20mortality#page/4/gid/1/pat/159/par/K02000001/ati/15/are/E92000001/iid/40501/age/163/sex/4/cat/-1/ctp/-1/yrr/3/cid/4/tbm/1.
    Back to article
  11. 11Abraham S, Foreman N, Sidat Z, Sandhu P, Marrone D, Headley C, Akroyd C, Nicholson S, Brown K, Thomas A, Howells L, Walter, H. Inequalities in cancer screening, prevention and service engagement between UK ethnic minority groups. British Journal of Nursing. 2022;31(10):S14–S24. DOI: 10.12968/bjon.2022.31.10.S14
    Back to article
  12. 12Davies E, Renshaw C, Dixon S, Møller H, Coupland, V. Socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities in screen-detected breast cancer in London. Journal of Public Health (United Kingdom). 2013.35(4):607–615. DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdt002
    Back to article
  13. 13Woof V, Ruane H, Ulph F, French D, Qureshi N, Khan N, Evans D, Donnelly L. Engagement barriers and service inequities in the NHS Breast Screening Programme: Views from British-Pakistani women. Journal of Medical Screening. 2019;27(3):130–137. DOI: 10.1177/0969141319887405
    Back to article
  14. 14Jackowska M, von Wagner C, Wardle J, Juszczyk D, Luszczynska A, Waller J. Cervical screening among migrant women: A qualitative study of Polish, Slovak and Romanian women in London, UK. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care. 2012;38(4):229–238. DOI: 10.1136/jfprhc-2011-100144
    Back to article
  15. 15McCutchan G, Wood F, Edwards A, Richards R, Brain K. Influences of cancer symptom knowledge, beliefs and barriers on cancer symptom presentation in relation to socioeconomic deprivation: A systematic review. BMC Cancer. 2015;15(1). DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1972-8
    Back to article
  16. 16McCutchan G, Wood F, Smits S, Edwards A, Brain K. Barriers to cancer symptom presentation among people from low socioeconomic groups: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health. 2016;16(1):1–10. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-3733-2
    Back to article
  17. 17Logan L, McIlfatrick S. Exploring women’s knowledge, experiences and perceptions of cervical cancer screening in an area of social deprivation. European Journal of Cancer Care. 2011;20(6):720–727. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2354.2011.01254.x
    Back to article
  18. 18Ingleby F, Woods L, Atherton I, Baker M, Elliss-Brookes L, Belot A. An investigation of cancer survival inequalities associated with individual-level socio-economic status, area-level deprivation, and contextual effects, in a cancer patient cohort in England and Wales. BMC Public Health. 2022;22(90). DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-12525-1
    Back to article
  19. 19McCowan C, McSkimming P, Papworth R, Kotzur M, McConnachie A, Macdonald S, Wyke S, Crighton E, Campbel C, Weller D, Steele R, Robb K. Comparing uptake across breast, cervical and bowel screening at an individual level: a retrospective cohort study. British Journal of Cancer. 2019;121(8):710–714. DOI: 10.1038/s41416-019-0564-9
    Back to article
  20. 20Young B, Bedford L, Kendrick D, Vedhara K, Robertson J, das Nair R. Factors influencing the decision to attend screening for cancer in the UK: A meta-ethnography of qualitative research. Journal of Public Health (United Kingdom). 2018.40(2):315–339. DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdx026
    Back to article
  21. 21Moffat J, Bentley A, Ironmonger L, Boughey A, Radford G, Duffy S. The impact of national cancer awareness campaigns for bowel and lung cancer symptoms on sociodemographic inequalities in immediate key symptom awareness and GP attendances. British Journal of Cancer. 2015;112:S14–S21. DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2015.31
    Back to article
  22. 22McCutchan G, Wood F, Edwards A, Richards R, Brain K. Influences of cancer symptom knowledge, beliefs and barriers on cancer symptom presentation in relation to socioeconomic deprivation: A systematic review. BMC Cancer. 2015;15(1). DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1972-8
    Back to article
  23. 23Aggarwal A, Choudhury A, Fearnhead N, Kearns P, Kirby A, Lawler M, Quinlan S, Palmieri C, Roques T, Simcock R, Walter F, Price P, Sullivan R. The future of cancer care in the UK-time for a radical and sustainable National Cancer Plan. The Lancet Oncology. 2024;25(1):e6–e17. DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(23)00511-9
    Back to article
  24. 24Ward Z, Atuna R, Aggarwal A, Lawlere M, Hricak H. Investing in cancer care in the UK: why aren’t we acting on the evidence? The Lancet Oncology. 2024;25(1):E6–E17. DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(24)00634-X
    Back to article
  25. 25World Health Organization. Community Engagement Framework for Quality, People-Centred and Resilient Health Services. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2017. [cited 2024 16 November]. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-HIS-SDS-2017.15.
    Back to article
  26. 26Edwards-Smith L, Hayes J. Community Asset Network – addressing Disparities in Outcomes. [webpage on the internet]. [cited 2024 November 20]. Available from: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/primarycare/public-health/devon-community-assets-research-collaborative.
    Back to article
  27. 27Morales-Garzón S, Parker L, Hernández-Aguado I, González-Moro Tolosana M, Pastor-Valero M, Chilet-Rosell E. Addressing Health Disparities through Community Participation: A Scoping Review of Co-Creation in Public Health. Healthcare (Basel). 2023.4;11(7):1034. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11071034
    Back to article
  28. 28Sezgin D, O’Caoimh R, O’Donovan M, Salem M, Kennelly S, Samaniego L, Carda C, Rodriguez-Acuña R, Inzitari M, Hammar T, Holditch C, Bettger J, Vernon M, Carroll Á, Gradinger F, Perman G, Wilson M, Vella A, Cherubini A, Tucker H, Fantini M, Onder G, Roller-Wirnsberger R, Gutiérrez-Robledo L, Cesari M, Bertoluci P, Kieliszek M, van der Vlegel-Brouwer W, Nelson M, Mañas L, Antoniadou E, Barriere F, Lindblom S, Park G, Pérez I, Alguacil D, Lowdon D, Alkiza M, Bouzon C, Young J, Carriazo A, Liew A, Hendry A. European Union Advantage Joint Action Work Package 7 partners in collaboration with the International Foundation for Integrated Care Special Interest Group on Intermediate Care. Defining the characteristics of intermediate care models including transitional care: an international Delphi study. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research. 2020;32(11):2399–2410. DOI: 10.1007/s40520-020-01579-z
    Back to article
  29. 29Vaz-Luis I, Masiero M, Cavaletti G, Cervantes A, Chlebowski R, Curigliano G, Felip E, Ferreira A, Ganz P, Hegarty J, Jeon J, Johansen C, Joly F, Jordan K, Koczwara B, Lagergren P, Lambertini M, Lenihan D, Linardou H, Loprinzi C, Partridge A, Rauh S, Steindorf K, van der Graaf W, van de Poll-Franse L, Pentheroudakis G, Peters S, Pravettoni G. ESMO Expert Consensus Statements on Cancer Survivorship: promoting high-quality survivorship care and research in Europe. Annals of Oncology. 2022;33(11):1119–1133. DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2022.07.1941
    Back to article
  30. 30Ziegler E, Hill J, Lieske B, Klein J, dem OV Knesebeck, Kofahl C. Empowerment in cancer patients: Does peer support make a difference? A systematic review. Psychooncology. 2022;31(5):683–704. DOI: 10.1002/pon.5869
    Back to article
  31. 31Office for Health Improvements and Disparities. Community-centred practice: applying All Our Health. Public Health England. [webpage on the internet]. [cited 2024 November 20]. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/community-centred-practice-applying-all-our-health/community-centred-practice-applying-all-our-health.
    Back to article
  32. 32The King’s Fund. Volunteering in health and care: securing a sustainable future. [webpage on the internet]. [cited 2024 November 20]. Available from: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/reports/volunteering-health-care.
    Back to article
  33. 33Macmillan Community Cancer Champions. [webpage on the internet]. [cited 2024 November 14]. Available from: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/donate/philanthropy/our-funding-priorities/macmillan-community-cancer-champions.
    Back to article
  34. 34UK Parliament. Written evidence submitted by the Health Inequalities Alliance (HIA). London: UK Parliament; 2023. [cited 2024 Nov 28]. Available from: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/119010/pdf/.
    Back to article
  35. 35Office of the Director of Public Health, Plymouth City Council. Index Of Multiple Deprivation (Imd) 2019 Plymouth Summary Analysis. [webpage on the internet]. [cited 2024 November 13]. Available from: https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/sites/default/files/IMD%202019%20report%20Final%200.1.pdf.
    Back to article
  36. 36Public Health England. Cancer incidence and mortality in Plymouth 2012–2016. 2012–2016. [webpage on the internet]. [cited 2024 November 13]. Available from: https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/sites/default/files/media-uploads/Plymouth-Cancer-Report-2019.pdf.
    Back to article
  37. 37Zebra Collective. [webpage on the internet]. [cited 2024 November 13]. Available from: https://www.zebra.coop/.
    Back to article
  38. 38Kretzmann J, McKnight J. Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community’s Assets. Chicago, IL: ACTA Publications; 1993.
    Back to article
  39. 39Jeder Institute. Asset-Based Community Development. [webpage on the internet]. [cited 2024 November 13]. Available from: https://www.jeder.com.au/asset-based-community-development/.
    Back to article
  40. 40Ingleby F, Woods L, Atherton I, Baker M, Elliss-Brookes L, Belot A. An investigation of cancer survival inequalities associated with individual-level socio-economic status, area-level deprivation, and contextual effects, in a cancer patient cohort in England and Wales. BMC Public Health. 2022;22:90. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-12525-1
    Back to article
  41. 41Age UK Plymouth. [webpage on the internet]. [cited 2024 November 19]. Available from: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/plymouth/.
    Back to article
  42. 42The Wolseley Trust. [webpage on the internet]. [cited 2024 November 19]. Available from: https://www.wolseley-trust.org/.
    Back to article
  43. 43Waterside Health Primary Care Network. [webpage on the internet]. [cited 2024 November 19]. Available from: https://westhoesurgery.nhs.uk/waterside-health-network-pcn/.
    Back to article
  44. 44Community Cancer Champions Project. [webpage on the internet]. [cited 2024 November 19]. Available from: https://www.zebra.coop/community-cancer-champions-project.
    Back to article
  45. 45Gradinger F, Elston J, Asthana S, Martin S, Byng R. Reflections on the Researcher-in-Residence model co-producing knowledge for action in an Integrated Care Organisation: a mixed methods case study using an impact survey and field notes. Evidence & Policy: A Journal of Research, Debate and Practice. 2019;15(2):197–215. DOI: 10.1332/174426419X15538508969850
    Back to article
  46. 46National Institute for Health Research. Embedded research design framework. [webpage on the internet]. [cited 2024 November 19]. Available from: https://www.embeddedresearch.org.uk/.
    Back to article
  47. 47Lewis S, Russell A. Being embedded: A way forward for ethnographic research. Ethnography. 2011;12(3):398–416. DOI: 10.1177/1466138110393786
    Back to article
  48. 48Palinkas L, Horwitz S, Green C, Wisdom J, Duan N, Hoagwood K. Purposeful Sampling for Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis in Mixed Method Implementation Research. Administration and Policy in Mental Health. 2015;42(5):533–44. DOI: 10.1007/s10488-013-0528-y
    Back to article
  49. 49Lumsden K, Goode J. Reflexivity and ethnography: Theory, Method, and Practice. London: Routledge; 2019. pp. 67–82. DOI: 10.4324/9781315692319-4
    Back to article
  50. 50Ploder A, Hamann J. Practices of Ethnographic Research: Introduction to the Special Issue. Journal of Contemporary Ethnography. 2021;50(1):3–10. DOI: 10.1177/0891241620979100
    Back to article
  51. 51Naeem M, Ozuem W, Ranfagni S. A step-by-step process of thematic analysis to develop a conceptual model in qualitative research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods. 2023;22. DOI: 10.1177/16094069231205789
    Back to article
  52. 52Roche P, Shimmin C, Hickes S, Khan M, Sherzoi O, Wicklund E, Lavoie J, Hardie S, Wittmeier K, Sibley K. Valuing All Voices: refining a trauma-informed, intersectional and critical reflexive framework for patient engagement in health research using a qualitative descriptive approach. Research Involvement and Engagement. 2020;42. DOI: 10.1186/s40900-020-00217-2
    Back to article
  53. 53Lansing A, Romero N, Siantz E, Silva V, Center K, Casteel D, Gilmer T. Building trust: Leadership reflections on community empowerment and engagement in a large urban initiative. BMC Public Health. 2023;23:1252. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15860-z
    Back to article
  54. 54Newcome J. The role of faith organisations in cancer control and patient care. The Lancet Oncology. 2020;21(7):882–883. DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30215-1
    Back to article
  55. 55Husk K, Elston J, Gradinger F, Callaghan L, Asthana S. Social prescribing: where is the evidence? British Journal of General Practice. 2019;69(678):6–7. DOI: 10.3399/bjgp19X700325
    Back to article
  56. 56NHS England. Inclusive digital healthcare: A framework for NHS action on digital inclusion [Internet]. London: NHS England; 2024. [webpage on the internet]. [cited 2024 November 20]. Available from: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/inclusive-digital-healthcare-a-framework-for-nhs-action-on-digital-inclusion/.
    Back to article
  57. 57Alderwick H, Hutchings A, Briggs A, Mays N. The impacts of collaboration between local health care and non-health care organizations and factors shaping how they work: a systematic review of reviews. BMC Public Health. 2021;21:753. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10630-1
    Back to article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.9054 | Journal eISSN: 1568-4156
Journal RSS Feed
Language: English
Submitted on: Nov 28, 2024
Accepted on: Sep 30, 2025
Published on: Oct 10, 2025
Published by: Ubiquity Press
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 4 issues per year
Keywords:
cancer,
health inequity,
embedded research,
qualitative,
ethnography

© 2025 Katy Stevenson, Felix Gradinger, Niqui Bond, Debbie Freeman, Richard Byng, published by Ubiquity Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 25 (2025): Issue 4Next article