Cancer Services

One in two 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 more than 200 different kinds of cancer and each is diagnosed and treated in a particular way. Chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy are the most common treatments for most types of cancer.

Chemotherapy

Before you have any chemotherapy treatment our nurse specialists will go through the process with you. They are here to answer any questions you or your family have and will offer emotional support.

You may be given chemotherapy:

• Before an operation so your surgeon has a better chance of removing the cancer
• After an operation to prevent the cancer coming back again in the future
• To control the cancer

Most patients receive their chemotherapy as outpatients. This means they come and go on the day of their treatment. However, the length of your stay can vary depending on assessments, tests and the type of chemotherapy treatment you are receiving.

If you are a day patient you are likely to be in the department between four and six hours, sometimes longer if your treatment in complex.

Acute oncology service

Our specialist oncology nurses will make sure you get the highest quality of care if you have cancer and need to come to our hospitals for any other reason or if you develop side effects following chemotherapy.

Cancer information centre

The cancer information centres at our hospitals provide a confidential service for anyone with questions or concerns about cancer. The walk-in service is funded by Macmillan Cancer Support.

Whether you have a cancer diagnosis, are worried about cancer or are visiting on behalf of someone else, our trained staff and volunteers can give you support, advice or can simply lend an ear to listen.

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