Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a life changing event for you and your family. You will have lots of questions and concerns throughout your cancer treatment.
Your clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is available to provide ongoing support from the investigations leading to a diagnosis and treatment of your cancer.
They will provide you with the necessary information answer any questions and provide emotional support and guidance to you and your family.
Our resources for patients
Your care is planned at a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meeting which is held weekly. The MDT consists of surgeons, medical consultants, radiologists, histopathologists, oncologists and clinical nurse specialists. The investigations that have been performed are discussed and a treatment plan is agreed by the team.
Treatment may involve one of the following; surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy and hormone therapy or a combination.
You will have the opportunity to meet with your doctor and CNS to discuss your treatment plan at an outpatient clinic appointment where specific information will be given to you, including the possible side effects of the treatment and support services available to you.
We encourage patients to attend clinic appointments with a family member or friend for additional support.
At East Surrey Hospital we provide a patient-centred approach to your care, helping to support people living with cancer. We aim to provide a well-coordinated, holistic, personalised approach to your care.
The National Cancer Survivorship Initiative’s (NCSI) aim is to ‘ensure that those living with and beyond cancer get the care and support they need to lead as healthy and active life as possible for as long as possible’.
To help improve your cancer experience, the NCSI have developed The Recovery Package, which has been introduced and supported by Macmillan.
The Recovery Package consists of the following four components and will be discussed with you by your CNS:
- A Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) will be completed at key points along your cancer pathway. You will have this assessment with your CNS either face to face or by phone. The HNA will address any physical, practical, family / relationship and emotional concerns you may have. Following the HNA a care plan will be discussed with you, providing support and information, possible referrals to other agencies such as Macmillan.
- A treatment summary will be completed at the end of your treatment and a copy will be sent to yourself and your GP. It provides important information including side effects and any other consequences of your treatment. It will also highlight any signs and symptoms of recurrence of disease.
- A cancer care review will be completed by your GP or practice nurse within three months of your cancer diagnosis and will be the start of ongoing conversations between yourself and your GP throughout your cancer pathway.
- Health and wellbeing events are held to provide information and support on work and finance, healthy lifestyle and physical activity and to help prepare you for the transition to a supported self-management programme. These events play an important role in moving forward to living with a diagnosis of cancer
There is a Macmillan Centre that provides a quiet place to sit, offering many informational booklets for you to browse or take home. Macmillan provides a number of resources which are readily available to you such as:
- Welfare benefits
- Understanding your specific cancer
- Cancer treatments and their side effects
- Support groups and services
If you need further information, Macmillan can assist you.
Telephone: 0808 808 000
Breast Cancer Now offers support for people with a diagnosis of breast cancer.
Telephone: 0808 800 6000
Winston’s wish offers support for younger children.
Telephone: 01242 515157
Helpline: 08088 020 021
Willow foundation offers special days out for seriously ill young adults.
Telephone: 01707 259777
These are research studies which compare new or different treatments with existing ones. If you are asked to take part in a clinical trial you are free to choose whether or not to take part. A research nurse will provide you with the information you need to make the decision. A decision not to take part in a clinical trial will not alter your care.