Improving quality of life for patients
Radiotherapy treatment at some hospitals in the late 70s and early 80s resulted in an increase in radiation-induced injuries in some women.
Macmillan Cancer Support, in conjunction with the Department of Health, is currently working on a national project, NCSI (National Cancer Survivorship Initiative) Recall Programme, setting up pilot clinics for people who are experiencing severe long-term side effects as a result of radiotherapy for breast cancer.
Prof Jane Maher, LJMC Medical Director and Chief Medical Officer at Macmillan Cancer Support is leading a national programme to find out the best way to help these women.
Pilot clinics are being set up across the UK and one was recently held at the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre. A specially convened multi-disciplinary team included a Clinical Oncologist, Palliative Care Consultant, Occupational Therapist, Lymphoedema Specialist as well as staff from across the LJMC.
The team of healthcare professionals was able to make individual physical and psychological assessments of the patients, discuss quality of life issues and explore possible solutions to some debilitating problems.
The LJMC’s involvement in this clinic continues the centre’s long-established tradition of collaboration in projects. It is another example of the centre’s commitment to improving the lives of patients and develop the national support services that are provided at all stages of the patients’ cancer journey.
This was the first time that a pilot clinic of this nature had been held in a support centre rather than in a hospital environment and the patients clearly found the informal setting beneficial.
A further clinic is planned for at the end of the summer and, as a result of the positive feedback from the LJMC clinic, others will continue in other support and information centres, eg, Bristol.
Note: It is important to stress that radiotherapy is very much safer today. Risk factors are far better understood with excellent quality assurance, particularly for patients with breast cancer.
Last updated: 23 July, 2009