We provide a comprehensive service to diagnose, treat and support people with cancer, forming part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) Cancer Collaborative and the East of England Cancer Alliance. This enables us to partner with key organisations across London and the east of England, as part of the ‘Cancer Vanguard’.
Whilst under our care you will have a named consultant in charge of your care and an allocated key worker, usually a cancer clinical nurse specialist (CNS) throughout your pathway of care.
The cancer clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) are an essential part of the team caring for patients at the Williams Day Unit. They liaise with patients to ensure they are happy with the level of information they receive about their diagnosis and treatments. The cancer clinical nurse specialist (CNS) plays a vital role in supporting patients and families and providing a vital link with the medical teams involved in the cancer patient pathway. Each tumour site has its own team of cancer clinical nurse specialists.
A diagnosis of cancer can be an overwhelming experience, often raising many questions. To support this, we have a new Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre located at the entrance of the Williams Day Unit. The centre provides support to people at any stage from diagnosis, treatment and beyond. It offers comprehensive information on various types of cancer, offers guidance on welfare benefits, and referrals to support the wellbeing of patients and their families.
Your cancer pathway support guide, provided by the North Central London Cancer Alliance, is for people who are referred on a suspected cancer pathway, or who have been diagnosed with cancer.
NHS Cancer screening programmes
Screening is a way of identifying apparently healthy people who have a risk of a particular cancer. It enables precancerous conditions and early cancers to be identified. This enables treatment to start as soon as possible to prevent cancer developing or growing further.
There are currently the following screening programmes through the NHS.
Cervical screening
Offered to all women/people with a cervix, aged 25 to 64, cervical screening checks the health of the cells of the cervix.
Find out more by visiting the NHS cervical screening information here >
Breast screening
Breast screening is offered to women aged 50 to 70 to detect early signs of cancer on mammography.
Find out more by visiting the NHS breast screening information here >
Bowel screening
Bowel screening is offered to everyone aged 60 to 74 and involves a home testing kit to help detect early bowel cancer.
Find out more by viewing this video or visiting the NHS bowel cancer screening information here >
It is vitally important to attend for screening appointments when you are invited. If you have any concerns, please speak to a healthcare professional who can support you, such as your GP or practice nurse.
Cancer causes and risk factors
The exact cause of cancer is yet unknown. Each person has a certain risk of developing cancer over their lifetime, as risk increases with age. A combination of genes, lifestyle and environment can affect risk further. We are all able to control some of the risk factors.
Around 1 in 3 of the most common cancers could be prevented by:
- Giving up smoking
- Keeping to a healthy weight
- Eating a healthy diet
- Being physically active
- Limiting how much alcohol you drink
- Taking care in the sun
You can access further information via Macmillan Cancer Support.
Cancer signs and symptoms
It is important to know the common signs and symptoms of cancer so that it can be detected early. Symptoms are often caused by other non-cancerous illnesses, but it is still best to have them checked. Different types of cancer have different symptoms.
The general advice is to see your GP if:
- You notice any symptoms that are not normal for you, as no one knows your body like you do.
- If any symptoms persists for longer than three weeks, e.g. a cough that doesn’t go away.
- If you have an unexplained symptom, e.g. a lump without any known injury, or unexplained bleeding.
You can access further information via the NHS or Macmillan Cancer Support.
Referral to hospital
When you are referred to the hospital, we aim to see you in clinic or perform your first diagnostic test within 14 days. This means you will need to be available to attend, often at short notice. This can be on any hospital site depending on the investigations being carried out and which cancer pathway you are on.
If you need further information about any diagnostic tests you can speak to your cancer team or visit Macmillan Cancer Support.
Cancer waiting times
There are waiting time targets for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in England, as set out by NHS England. The aim for all healthcare systems within England is to make sure that you have a diagnosis and start treatment as soon as possible.
| 28 Day Faster Diagnosis Standard | 62 day referral to treatment standard | 31 day decision to treat to treatment standard |
| Patients with suspected cancer who are referred for urgent cancer checks from a GP, screening programme or other route should be diagnosed or have cancer ruled out within 28 days. | Patients who have been referred for suspected cancer via any route and go on to receive a diagnosis should start treatment within 62 days of their referral. | All patients who have a cancer diagnosis, and who have had a decision made on their first or subsequent treatment, should then start that treatment within 31 days. |
Being diagnosed with cancer
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be a huge shock, which may lead to you feeling different emotions. Many people feel completely overwhelmed, but it is important to understand there is support available for you and your family.
Going through cancer treatment is a very personal experience and what you need will vary depending on many factors. You will meet different professionals who will all play a part in your diagnosis and treatment.
Conditions we treat:
- Breast
- Bladder
- Colorectal
- Haemato-oncology
- Lung
- Prostate
- Upper Gastrointestinal (GI)
Patients are seen in clinic with gynaecological and head and neck cancers, but are treated at University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust or North Middlesex University Hospital. Chemotherapy cancer treatment is delivered by a committed team of medical, pharmacy, and nursing staff who are all highly trained specialists in this area. Detailed quality procedures govern the prescribing, production, dispensing, and delivery of the chemotherapy service.
You will be given specific information about your disease, your treatment, the side effects, and what to do if you feel certain side effects. These include a phone number on which you can contact skilled professionals 24 hours a day to discuss any clinical issues that arise while you are receiving chemotherapy.
Before we can see you in cancer services, you will need a referral from your GP.
Treatments we offer
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Supportive care
People requiring any of these treatments for cancer are treated as a day case within the Williams Day Unit, Building 5. This includes chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and supportive care. There are some treatments, such as some trial treatments, that are only offered at other hospitals. Your consultant will discuss this with you.
The unit is open from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.
Blood transfusion
A blood transfusion is a procedure in which donated blood or blood components are given to you through an intravenous line (a plastic tube) connected to a needle inserted into a vein.
You may need a blood transfusion at the Williams Day Unit for reasons including:
- To treat anaemia caused by your SACT treatment
- Due to your haematological condition