26 November 2024

Adults with a severe mental illness (SMI) are at a greater risk of cancer mortality than those without SMI.  The Royal College of Psychiatrists (2023) reports people with SMI are 2.3 times more likely to die prematurely from cancer than those in the general population with a cancer diagnosis. The report also estimates that approximately one‐third of cancer deaths could be prevented with early detection, of which cancer screening is the most effective method. 

In 2023, King’s Health Partners Mind & Body conducted a review to explore inequalities that contribute to premature mortality in the SMI population in south east London, finding that:  

•    Cancer is consistently reported as the biggest cause of mortality for people with SMI across all six boroughs in south east London.  
•    Within a single mental health trust, lung cancer was the highest recorded cause of cancer mortality over a five-year period for people with SMI. 

KHP Mind & Body works in partnership with people with lived experience of mental health conditions (also know as Experts by Experience) and following their latest review they asked for their reflections. Faith, an Expert by Experience, reflected

“I was so pleased to see this review. To me, it really highlighted the health inequalities, conditions, and ways of living, that exist for [people with mental illness] who are so often left outside of regular services”. 

Following the results of the review, KHP Mind & Body is prioritising a programme of work over the next three years (2024-2027) to understand the barriers to early cancer diagnosis that may contribute to inequalities in treatment and outcomes for the SMI population.  

This is a 12-month project, funded by the South East London Cancer Alliance (SELCA), to improve access to lung cancer diagnostic pathways for individuals with SMI. By identifying the barriers that patients, healthcare providers, and carers encounter along these pathways, the project aims to inform system-wide recommendations to enhance: 

Engagement and adherence

Increasing SMI patients' participation in lung cancer screening and ensuring symptomatic individuals engage with their GPs.  

Early diagnosis rates

Boosting the timely detection of cancer among SMI patients referred through urgent suspected cancer pathways, thereby supporting improved quality of life and survival rates. 

Delivering the project 

Year one will involve evidence-gathering which will lay the foundation for a two-stage delivery plan to scale interventions based on findings. 

Year two is when proposed interventions will undergo testing, with a focus on implementation and evaluation. Findings from this phase will lead to further recommendations for scale. 

Year three will see interventions tested, integrated, and scaled within the local system — with ongoing effectiveness evaluation. At this stage, further knowledge could improve additional parts of the cancer pathway within the local system. 

This phased approach ensures that evidence-based solutions not only address initial barriers but also support sustainable change across the cancer care system for people with SMI. 
 
To support this project, we are pleased to announce the appointment of our Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Partner, Woolwich Service User Project, as well as two Experts by Experience (EbE), who bring valuable perspectives from lived experiences. In alignment with our ambition to create a more inclusive healthcare environment, we look forward to their contributions in helping to shape a healthcare model that addresses lung cancer health inequities in south east London. 

To access this review and other Mind & Body resources sign up to the Mind & Body Improvement Network. For any enquiries concerning this project, contact Gracie Tredget, Programme Manager, KHP Mind & Body Programme on gracie.tredget@slam.nhs.uk.