Hello and welcome to June's edition of Loop!

Loop is a monthly newsletter from Neuroendocrine Cancer UK which is dedicated to bringing you the latest updates and insights related to neuroendocrine cancer.

Upcoming Webinar: 'Lung NENs'

Wednesday 29th July 2026 - 6:00pm ONLINE

This Webinar is intended for any patient with a diagnosis of Lung NETS, both Typical (TC) and Atypical (AC) and DIPNECH to learn about being newly diagnosed, treatment options, and follow-up surveillance requirements.

There will be a Q&A at the end of Dr Ahuja's presentation. If you would like to submit any questions ahead of the evening, please email kate@nc-uk.org

Dr Gaurav Ahuja is a Consultant in Respiratory Medicine at Royal Bolton NHS Foundation Trust. He qualified as a doctor after graduating from the University of Delhi, India in 2011. He trained as a respiratory registrar, in Yorkshire and Merseyside up until 2025. During his training, he also did a Clinical Fellowship in Thoracic Oncology at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester where he led the research in lung neuroendocrine tumours. His sub-specialty interests include lung malignancies, respiratory infections and bronchiectasis.

Featured Webinar: A personalised approach to end-of-life care

In case you missed it: This webinar, originally recorded in May, Erica and Holly, Health and Wellbeing Cancer Nurse Specialists at NCUK, explore personalised end-of-life care and advance care planning. They discuss the importance of ensuring healthcare decisions are made with individuals, not for them, and explain key tools such as ReSPECT and Lasting Power of Attorney, which can help ensure future care reflects a person’s wishes, values, and priorities.

Group Therapy Programmes and Mindfulness: Autumn dates – start October 2026

We offer 3 fully facilitated online 8-week group programmes, each running twice a year (Spring/Autumn): 

• Living Well with Neuroendocrine Cancer: The Early Years (1-3 years): For those diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer between 1 and 3 years ago. 

• Living Well with Neuroendocrine Cancer (Beyond 3 years): For those diagnosed more than 3 years ago. 

• Family & Friends: For family members, friends, and caregivers (this group is not for those diagnosed). 

Please note: For those diagnosed less than a year ago, we recommend speaking with either or both our support or counselling teams. 

We also provide an online 8-week Mindfulness for Managing Anxiety, Pain, and Fatigue course. 

All programmes and courses require a minimum number of participants to proceed and have a limit on maximum numbers – so we would encourage any applicant who is no longer able to participate to let us know asap so that places are available to those who are able to take part. 

Further information on these programmes and our Counselling service is available in our Counselling Guide – available here. 

Details confirming dates and how to apply will be available shortly on our Counselling and MH well-being page HERE. 

Invisible Cancer Report: Why Earlier Diagnosis Matters

Left: Gordon Brown, GP and neuroendocrine cancer patient & Right: Craig Speirs, neuroendocrine cancer patient - featured in a national article.

"My cancer was invisible to the doctor."

This year, our Invisible Cancer report received national media coverage, helping to shine a light on the reality of neuroendocrine cancer.

The article highlights the experiences of people like Craig, who spent five years seeking answers before receiving a diagnosis, and Gordon, a GP who initially missed the signs of his own neuroendocrine cancer.

The report found that:

• Diagnosis takes an average of 4.5 years from first symptom

• Almost half of patients are not diagnosed at their first referral

• More than half are diagnosed at an advanced stage

Neuroendocrine cancer is often called an invisible cancer because symptoms can be vague, affect multiple body systems, and are frequently mistaken for other conditions such as IBS, asthma or menopause.

As Professor Martyn Caplin explains:

"Smaller volumes of neuroendocrine cancer are generally easier to manage than more advanced disease. Delays increase both the physical and emotional toll on patients and limit clinical options."

Read the article and learn more about why earlier diagnosis matters.

Read The Invisible Cancer report

Heatwave Advice: Staying Safe in Hot Weather

Hot weather in the UK (not just abroad) can affect anyone, but it can be more serious for people with health conditions or those receiving treatment.

Simple steps can help you stay safe and well.

Read the full news item HERE

Join Ruth for her 1000^th Daily Dip 4 Dave on 5^th July 2026

In 2008 Ruth Hitchcock's husband, Dave was diagnosed with cancer in his bowel. In Ruth's own words 'it was successfully removed, and life carried on. But in early 2023, things took a heartbreaking turn. After a series of tests, Dave was diagnosed with multiple secondary neuroendocrine tumours - a rare, incurable form of cancer that has spread to his liver, lymph nodes, bowel, stomach, and bones. At just 57, this news has been devastating.

Since June 2023, Dave received hormone injections every month to slow the tumour's growth. When this approach didn't produce the hoped-for results, the treatment was intensified to injections every three weeks. In October 2025 Dave was diagnosed with prostate cancer and he is now facing a full prostatectomy. His neuroendocrine tumours are slowly progressing. Who knows what the future holds but we won't give up hope and we will keep trying to promote awareness and funding to try and make a breakthrough.'

Determined to raise awareness about neuroendocrine cancer and to raise money to support research into the disease, Ruth created Daily Dip 4 Dave, a multi-year personal challenge with a commitment to a daily dip in the sea for 1,000 days.

On the 5th of July 2026, Ruth will be taking her 1,000th dip in the sea - an incredible achievement on its own, but in the face of such personal challenge and turmoil a truly amazing accomplishment. 

So far Ruth has raised almost £60,000 for research.

One Step at a Time: Laurence’s Extraordinary Fundraising Journey

When Laurence Denis lost both of his parents – his mother Pauline to neuroendocrine cancer and his father Phil to a sudden heart attack – running became a way to cope with overwhelming grief. In an extraordinary tribute to their memory, Laurence ran 850 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End in just 23 days, raising more than £12,500 for charities close to his family's heart, including Neuroendocrine Cancer UK. His remarkable challenge captured widespread support, including a surprise donation from Harry Styles.

Read Laurence’s inspiring story of resilience, fundraising and finding purpose through adversity.

If you’re not doing so already, please consider making a monthly donation… 

We are so grateful to all the people who have committed to making a regular donation recently. This is one of the most effective ways to support our work.

Regular giving allows us to plan ahead, expand our services, and provide ongoing support to people when they need it the most. Even a small monthly contribution can make a real difference to the lives of people affected by neuroendocrine cancer. 

Did you know? We receive no government funding, no funding from larger cancer charities, and no money from the NHS. We rely entirely on the generosity of people like you, our community, to keep going. 

Please watch our video below to see the difference that you can make:

Neuroendocrine Cancer Support - Funded by You, for Everyone Who Needs It 

You can make a huge difference.

A monthly donation is one of the best ways to ensure that we can continue to provide support to people affected by neuroendocrine cancer. Regular donations also allow us to plan for the future and to expand our services. 

£10 a month – you’ll help to fund monthly webinars and resources to help patients better understand their disease. 

£15 a month – you’ll help us to invest in our helpline, providing much needed support to rising numbers of patients and families coping with diagnosis, treatment or emotional distress. 

£25 a month – you’ll help us to expand our counselling services, so that we can continue to provide support and care for patients and their loved ones at a time when they need us the most. 

£50 a month – you’ll help us to invest in research projects that are designed to improve outcomes in neuroendocrine cancer. 

Thank you!

Fundraise for Us and Support the Neuroendocrine Cancer Community

We’re incredibly grateful for our amazing and supportive community. we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supports Neuroendocrine Cancer UK. Your dedication, passion, and creativity make an incredible difference.

Did you know there are so many ways to get involved? 

Visit our fundraising page below to explore the possibilities and start planning your next adventure today!