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When cancer is suspected

  • Following your initial referral to our services, it may be recommended that you need further diagnostic tests or investigations. These may include a tissue biopsy, pelvic MRI, CT chest, abdomen and pelvis or a PET CT. These investigations will be discussed with you.
  • Waiting for these results can be an anxious time but please be reassured that these tests are being interpreted thoroughly and a member of the team will be in touch with you when these results are available. 
  • If your results identify a gynaecological cancer, these will be discussed at our weekly Multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meeting and best recommendations will be advised.
  • You will then have an appointment with a member of the team to discuss your results and the MDT recommendations, and agree upon a treatment plan together.
  • It can be helpful to come with a family member or friend for added support at this consultation and we do encourage this.
  • We realise this is a daunting time and there is a team of specialists on hand to support you including a Gynaecological Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) who will endeavour to be in the consultation with you or will make contact as soon as possible. Please click below for more information.

Above is the HHFT Gynae cancer support team. Clockwise from top right; CNS Sarah Flavell, CNS Kate Pullman, CNS Sara Desouza and CSW Cass Atkinson.

Your Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in the gynaecological oncology team is a nurse who has specialist training and experience in both gynaecology and cancer nursing. We provide information, support, advocacy and guidance. We can also offer advice for all aspects of daily living affected by cancer.

There will be a number of different people involved in your care. As your CNS we can help you by acting as a link person between these professionals throughout your treatment. We work very closely with the hospital teams caring for you as well as with services provided in your local area.

We recognise that coming into hospital for investigations or treatment can be a difficult time for you and those close to you. We will make sure you will receive the best care and support possible. 

CNS's are available to:

  • Help coordinate your care from diagnosis to treatment and through to follow-up care.
  • Be a familiar face that can provide support to you and your family.
  • Provide information on tests, investigations and treatment options.
  • Offer support and advice on symptom control.    
  • Provide a link to other professionals and support services.

Cass.pngYour Cancer Support Worker (CSW) is a consistent point of contact alongside your Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). They use their skills to actively listen to your worries and offer help and support to aid resolution of your concerns. 

 

CSW's help you to take control of your own care and enable self-management by providing emotional day-to-day support. This could be signposting to services, including those in the community. Your CSW is here to help you navigate the health and social care system. By listening to you we can identify your unique strengths and resources to help you and your family to cope.

 

A key requirement of the CSW role is excellent communication skills and a high degree of empathy, understanding, honesty and integrity. The aim is to provide personalised support and care with clear communication between primary and secondary care sectors ensuring that good relationships are built across all organisations.

 

 

In general, your first contact with your CSW will be upon an invitation to complete a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA). This is a type of questionaire where your answers help us to know what is important to you and therefore aids us to personalise the care we give and the support we offer. A care plan will be generated as a result of this assessment and will be shared with you alongside additional signposting and support information.

 

A more recent way to complete a HNA is by using the Macmillan electronic Holistic Needs Assessment (eHNA). Below is a YouTube video explaining how the eHNA has helped patients with differing concerns. 

 

YouTube eHNA video

 

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