Our clinical column: Supporting our patients with cancer

We recently marked World Cancer Day (4 February), an opportunity to raise awareness of the disease around the globe.

The theme was ‘Closing the Care Gap’, celebrating progress that enables more people to seek and receive the care they need.

1 in 2 people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime. In the UK, the four most common types of cancer are:

breast cancer
lung cancer
prostate cancer
bowel cancer

There are over 200 different types of cancer that can cause many different signs and symptoms. Sometimes symptoms affect specific areas of the body, but signs can also be more general, and include weight loss, tiredness (fatigue) or unexplained pain.

Some possible signs of cancer, like a lump, are better known than others. But this doesn’t mean they’re more important or more likely to be cancer. It is important to get any possible symptom of cancer checked out.

Cancer can affect people in different ways. The type of symptoms a person may have can be different to others, and some people don’t have any symptoms. So, you don’t need to remember all the signs and symptoms of cancer.

It’s important to be aware of what is normal for you and speak to your doctor if you notice any unusual changes or something that won’t go away. This can help to diagnose cancer at an early stage, when treatment is more likely to be successful.

Making some simple changes to your lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk of developing cancer, such as:

healthy eating
taking regular exercise
not smoking

At PAHT, we are focused on improving the holistic care we provide to patients with cancer. This has included:

Promotion of the benefits of exercise, with the 5K Your Way at Harlow Town Park. This is in conjunction with the Move 4 You charity and Parkrun, encouraging exercise and/or a cup of tea and chat to support local people affected by cancer – both patients and loved ones or carers
We have the Cancer Hair Care charity on site in our cancer unit providing support to those who experience hair loss as a result of their cancer treatment
We have also recently launched a complementary therapy service in the cancer unit, provided by the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity
In addition to this, we have introduced a psychology service in the last year to support as appropriate, and our clinical nurse specialists run some specific cancer support groups
We also signpost to a Macmillan Cancer Support funded Citizens’ Advice service to ensure the appropriate financial support is available
We recently secured some funding for a new cancer information and wellbeing centre within the Williams Day Unit on The Princess Alexandra Hospital site for all of our patients with cancer to access. The service will be available on weekdays to provide information and wellbeing services for our patients, with more updates on this coming soon

We encourage you to contact your GP for further advice.

You can read more at www.nhs.uk.

Best wishes

Louise Edwards

Head of cancer services

Useful resources

Get cancer symptoms checked by your GP - NHS >

Don't carry the worry of cancer with you - NHS >

Worried about signs that could be cancer? Contact your GP practice - NHS >