Health chiefs in Brighton and Hove have been given almost £100,000 to tackle bowel cancer in the area.
The money will be spent trying to raise awareness of the symptoms and promote early diagnosis.
It follows a similar campaign to improve lung cancer survival rates in Brighton and Hove by the primary care trust (PCT) and its partners.
The Department of Health has awarded £99,500 to Brighton and Hove City Teaching PCT – also known as NHS Brighton and Hove.
Martina Picken, the PCT’s public health specialist, said: “We are aware that survival rates for bowel cancer need to be improved locally.
“In addition to work to improve care and treatment, we are planning to work with our communities and primary care professionals to raise awareness and promote early diagnosis.
“We are delighted to receive this funding which will help us to save local lives.”
The funding was announced by Care Services Minister Paul Burstow.
The Liberal Democrat minister said: “The NHS is spending at European levels but still not delivering European cancer survival rates.
“We know that the earlier cancer is diagnosed, the better the outlook.
“That’s why Brighton and Hove’s campaign will help local people to be more alert to the early signs and symptoms of bowel cancer and encourage them to seek medical advice as soon as possible.”
Estimates show that 10,000 lives could be saved in England each year if survival rates for bowel cancer – also known as colorectal cancer – matched the best in Europe.
Deborah Alsina, the chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK, and Mark Flannagan, the chief executive of Beating Bowel Cancer, said: “We warmly welcome today’s announcement by the Government of funding for new campaigns to support early diagnosis of bowel cancer at both national and PCT level.
“Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer, yet it is highly treatable if diagnosed early.
“Currently over half of bowel cancer patients are diagnosed with advanced cancer, often because they are unaware of the symptoms and present to their GP too late.
“By increasing awareness of the disease and encouraging people to act on their symptoms, these regional and national campaigns have the potential to save thousands of lives.”
The campaign in Brighton and Hove is scheduled to begin in January.
