We are a group of nurses with specialist training and experience in breast cancer care and we work together with other members of the breast unit team. We aim to provide support, information, education and advice to patients, families and health care professionals in all aspects of breast cancer care. We accept referrals from GPs, ward staff, colleagues in the community and related medical professions.
Services we can provide:
- We are available for support and advice from first hospital visit onwards.
- We will provide the information that you require about your diagnosis, and treatment plan.
- Support to you and your family during your treatment and follow-up.
- Contactable by telephone during office hours.
- Nurse led clinics for wound review / reconstruction review.
- Lymphoedema service including assessment, symptom management and garment fitting.
- Supply and fitting of breast prosthesis, and advice about bras.
- Liaison between GPs, community nurses and the hospital medical team.
- Information about clinical trials and studies.
- We also provide the above services for private patients at Sarum Road Hospital, Winchester (Primary breast cancer service only)
We are available for patients in the Winchester, Eastleigh and Andover areas and are based at:
The Dick Rainsbury Breast Unit
Florence Portal House (Ground floor)
Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester
You can contact us between 08:30 and 16:30 hours on weekdays. There is an answer phone where messages can be left. We endeavour to return calls as promptly as possible.
Office telephone: 01962 824592
We are available for patients in the Basingstoke and Alton areas and are based at:
DTC (Diagnosis and Treatment Centre) - 1st floor
Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital
You can contact us between 08:30 and 16:30 hours on weekdays. There is an answer phone where messages can be left. We endeavour to return calls as promptly as possible.
Office telephone: 01256 313126
Secondary breast cancer clinical nurse specialist service:
Secondary breast cancer (SBC) occurs when breast cancer cells spread from the first (primary) cancer in the breast through the lymphatic or blood system to other parts of the body.
Receiving a diagnosis of SBC can be a very worrying and distressing time and you and your family may have a lot of concerns and questions during this time. The clinical nurse specialist (CNS) for secondary breast cancer is dedicated to this specialist area, and is here for you and your family. Working alongside the oncologists, the CNS will support you with your treatments and facilities referrals to additional forms of support and provide advice and guidance.
Click here for further information produced by Breast Cancer Now.
Basingstoke and North Hampshire Macmillan CNS SBC - Yolanda Kennedy - 07827 896883
Royal Hampshire County Hospital Macmillan CNS SBC - Marianne Oswell - 01962824592/ 07484444721
The breast clinical nurse specialists offer a prosthesis fitting service for women who have received breast cancer treatment.
Please contact:
Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital: 01256 313126
Royal Hampshire County Hospital: 01962 824592
Our breast clinical nurse specialists offer a lymphoedema management service at both Royal Hampshire County Hospital and Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital
Please contact the team for an appointment/further details:
Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital: 01256 313126
Royal Hampshire County Hospital: 01962 824592
The breast team has their own specialist dietitian who supports patients across HHFT.
Dietitians are state registered health professionals experienced in assessing and treating a wide range of nutritional problems that can develop as a result of your condition and treatment. Find out more about what a dietitian is here (BDA).
The breast dietitian is responsible for ensuring that all breast cancer patients at HHFT have access to the latest evidenced-based nutritional information either via your clinical nurse specialists, cancer support worker or various online platforms.
Nutrition is important before during and after cancer treatment. Click here for a more comprhensive overview from Breast Cancer Now.
Before treatment:
It is important to try to optimise your nutritional status and physical activity so that your body is in the best shape to embark on treatment. For most patients this involves following a healthy diet and maximising their physical activity.
If you have been losing weight unintentionally or are under-weight you may be advised to stabilise your weight or gain weight before treatment. Speak to your CNS if you are concerned about you weight or unintentional weight loss.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of misleading information regarding diet and breast cancer on the internet. Click here to find out more about cancer diet myths.
During treatment:
Treatment can sometimes cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea, taste change or a reduced appetite. If these side effects impact your eating, you may need to alter your diet to stop you losing weight. If not, then keep eating a healthy well-balanced diet. INSERT SOME LINKS
Please refer to the 'managing side effects of treatment' tab for more information.
Listen to your body and do as much physical activity as you can manage.
After treatment:
Once you have completed treatment aim for a healthy weight (BMI calculator) build up to being as physically active as you can, and follow the World Cancer Research Fund dietary advice on healthy eating.
Further support with weight loss can be found at:
• Hampshire gloji weight loss service (free weight loss program, pick from slimming world, gloji lose or gloji move more)
• NHS 12-week weight loss plan (free 12-week weight loss program with a mobile app)
Please contact the team for an appointment/further details if you feel you would benefit from further nutritional advice or a referral to a dietitian:
Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital: 01256 313126
Royal Hampshire County Hospital: 01962 824592
After you complete your breast cancer treatment you will enter a period of follow up with your team. During this time you will have access to the team and surveillance tests arranged. Most women will have a mammogram once a year for five years following surgery.
At about 12 months after diagnosis we offer you an end of treatment consultation. At this appointment we like to offer Patient Initiated Follow Up. More information can be found further down this page.
Some people will not be suitable for this and will continue in traditional follow up where we see you at fixed time points.
Regardless of the type of follow up, we aim to offer you the following:
- A treatment summary
- Personalised follow up plan
- Holistic needs assessment (offered at diagnosis and again after 6 months)
- Signposting to our support services
- Health and wellbeing services
- Breast/body awareness
Patient initiated follow up is a form of follow up which puts you in control of your care. Instead of coming to hospital for routine follow up clinic appointments, you will be able to contact the breast care team as and when you need to.
The resources below may be helpful for people after diagnosis and treatment.
- Patient initiated follow up. This leaflet explains what PIFU is, what to look our for and how to re-access our service.Further information on the Outpatient PIFU process can be found here
- Breast and body awareness. The link here takes you to information on being breast and body aware produced by Breast Cancer Now.
- Life after breast cancer. This Breast Cancer Now link will take you to several resources you may find helpful including managing side effects, coping with changes to your body, coping with anxiety, as well as health and wellbeing information on diet and exercise.
- MyMedicalRecord is the electronic patient portal for patients on the PIFU pathway. Please click here for the leaflet. Please click here for more information.
- See below for a list of our support and recovery services.
- Breast screening after 70. How to access breast screening after automatic invitation ceases.
Support in Hampshire
Basingstoke Breast Cancer self help group
Winchester and Eastleigh cancer support group
Moving On cancer support group (Andover area)
Alton breast cancer support group - Bravefront Alton 07528 019583 / bravefront@yahoo.co.uk
Jane Scarth House - Romsey cancer support centre
Wessex Cancer Trust - Chandler's Ford support centre
I can Therapy Centre (Andover)
Andover cancer support group - Andover War Memorial Hospital (3-4.30pm on the second Tuesday every month) - please contact your breast clinical nurse specialist for more information on this
Health and Well Being
Look good feel better - facing cancer with confidence
5K Your Way - Move against cancer
Winchester Active Lifestyles Scheme
Regional support
Newbury breast care support group
National cancer support
Breast Cancer Haven (live services suspended - video resources still available)
Physical activity has enormous physical and psychological benefits before, during, and after cancer diagnosis and treatment. It can:
- Improve emotional wellbeing and reduce anxiety
- Give back control
- Improve fitness to cope with treatment
- Reduce fatigue
- Reduce risk of cancer returning
- And many more.
Macmillan’s information booklet on physical activity
Macmillan's guide to becoming physically active
For resources in the local area, please see below or please speak to your cancer support worker.
Everyone Active – Winchester Health and wellbeing programme, Winchester Sport and Leisure Park.
- This exciting new exercise referral scheme is the perfect way for people with health conditions to safely increase physical activity levels and improve health under the supervision of highly qualified fitness instructors.
- The programme offers reduced rates and access to up to 48 week’s worth of physical activity sessions with a qualified instructor. We will also have on offer specialist classes for groups of individuals who need further support.
- All the information can be found on our Everyone Active Website
Safe Fit
Another excellent and free programme being led by Macmillan. SafeFit is a research trial designed to support anyone in the UK with suspicion of, or confirmed diagnosis of cancer. Cancer exercise specialists will offer you free, remote advice, support and resources to maintain and improve physical and emotional well-being. For more information click here
Other exercise programmes:
- Wessex Cancer Trust Eastleigh offer local group walks.
- 5kyourway – Basingstoke War Memorial, park runs – can be walked
- I can Therapy Centre , Andover. Power assisted exercise for those with limited mobility.
- How to get active indoors
- 10 minute workout with BHF physical activity specialist
- 6 tips for getting fit after 50
- 12 week fitness plan - NHS advice
The counselling service at HHFT is led by Nancy Vanderpuye. She is a clinical psychologist and her services can be accessed through the breast clinical nurse specialist team. Please give us a call if you feel you would benefit from this.
Alternatively counselling can be accessed through the following services (please click on the links to find out more):
Wessex Cancer Trust (provide age specific counselling for children and young people as well as for people diagnosed with cancer)
Jane Scarth House
The Pink Place
Victoria’s Promise (individual and family counselling aimed at those under 50
Below you will find useful information on managing some of the more common side effects that may be experienced during and following treatment. If you cannot find the information you need below, please contact your breast clinical nurse specialist team for further advice.
For further advice on managing side effects see the advice below:
Breast Cancer Now understand that the need for support doesn’t end with treatment. Whether you want information on managing side effects, support returning to work, or tips for regaining a healthy lifestyle, their Moving Forward courses are here for you.
