On Tuesday 12 November The Farming Community Network (FCN) organised a reception at the House of Lords in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, kindly hosted by The Lord Curry of Kirkharle Kt CBE, to raise awareness of their partnership and to announce the launch of the #NipItInTheBud campaign.
Lord Curry welcomed attendees, providing an overview of why work to address health inequalities in farming and rural communities is so important and crediting the resilience of farmers while navigating periods of change. This was followed by a speech by FCN’s Chief Executive Office, Dr Jude McCann.
During this speech, Dr McCann said: “For farmers and people living in rural areas, the impacts of cancer can be especially devastating. We all know that there can still be a ‘tough as old boots’ mindset in farming. Farmers will often prioritise their families, their livestock, their business, their machinery and their crops above themselves.
“We have heard examples of a farmer whose cancer had been growing for years and was mistaken for ‘farmer’s lung’; someone who discovered they had cancer only when they dislocated their shoulder in a farm accident; and even a farmer whose approach to suspected skin cancer on their arm was to produce a pen-knife.
“As part of our work with Macmillan, we are advocating for early detection. We are encouraging a culture change in farming, motivating people to ‘Nip it in the Bud’ as soon as possible. The sooner you get checked, the sooner you can get the treatment you need; and the sooner you can get back to the farm. And if you get checked and do not receive a diagnosis, you will have the peace of mind of knowing that whatever was concerning you is nothing to worry about.
“Through this partnership work we are also giving our communities a platform to tell their stories; to offer hope; and to encourage others to slow down and take care of themselves. There is life with cancer. There is life after cancer. You can continue farming following a diagnosis.
“We are proud to be working in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support. We hope that you will join FCN and Macmillan in our work to improve the support available to people living with cancer in farming and rural communities across the UK.”
Macmillan Engagement Manager Anton Morgan-Thorne spoke next, where he outlined the unprecedent partnership work between Macmillan and FCN and how much the partnership has already achieved since launching in April 2024 – crediting the hard work of the project team and making the point that “‘no one is too hard to reach’; we just need to find ways of reaching them”.
A fireside chat session chaired by FCN’s Senior Partnerships Manager Georgina Lamb then took place. Speakers included Andy Venables (Hillsgreen CEO), Nicky Maynard (Midlands) and Rebekah Ramsden (NHS, cancer services). Andy and Nicky discussed their testicular and breast cancer diagnoses and treatments; and Rebekah explained how the NHS and Macmillan supports people impacted by cancer.
A Q&A session saw a number of stakeholders highlight the importance of the project and campaign.
Writing on LinkedIn after the event, Neeve McGinty, External Affairs Manager, National Farmers’ Union, posted: “I’ve learnt a lot about how we can encourage our farmers to prioritise their health and make sure no one is ever “too hard to reach”. Funny, touching and inspiring stories from farmers thankfully now in remission on their cancer journeys, as well as the wonderful NHS nurses working around the clock to provide world class care to our world class food producers.”
Joe Evans, Vice-President, CLA, wrote: “An inspiring event hosted by Lord Curry of Kirkharle Kt CBE organised by the brilliant The Farming Community Network and Macmillan Cancer Support. I am particularly keen to support this initiative. I was lucky and did #NipItInTheBud when it came to my own skin cancer diagnosis this summer. It was very scary at the time, but thanks to talking about it early and taking swift action, I am left with only a scar having got the all clear 4 weeks ago.
“Research shows that farmers are bad at getting checked, and with all the other traumas that we’re facing, it’s probably slipped down the list. Please, please don’t ignore that bump/limp/pain/niggle or lump.”
Michael Lee, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Harper Adams University, wrote: “Farmers often won’t be checked until the last minute, and migrant/seasonal workers can face extra barriers in accessing care. WE NEED TO CHANGE THIS.
“This stark message was given today at the House of Lords where I represented Harper Adams University in supporting the #NipItInTheBud campaign in conjunction with The Farming Community Network and Macmillan Cancer Support. A great project which we are getting fully behind.”
Media has reported on the event:
- Farming Life: South Antrim MP, Robin Swann, has welcomed the Rural Communities Cancer Project – a UK-wide partnership between The Farming Community Network (FCN) and Macmillan Cancer Support: Swann welcomes Rural Communities Cancer Project
- Farming UK: New campaign urges early detection of cancer among farmers – FarmingUK News
- Farmers Weekly: FCN urges farmers to get early cancer signs checked by GP – Farmers Weekly
- The Farmart: Angela Bowcock, Managing Director of The Farmart Magazine, invited to launch of Rural Communities Cancer Project at the House of Lords – The Farmart Magazine
- Farmers Guardian: From the editor: “The ‘tough as old boots’ mindset and the temptation to neglect oneself and soldier on is intertwined within farming’s culture” | Farm News | Farmers Guardian