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.
Your 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.
Below are links to nutritional information
Eating well with cancer - Wessex Cancer Alliance
World Cancer Research Fund - healthy recipies
Recipes for people affected by cancer - Macmillan PDF
Know your food types - Macmillan information
Eating problems and cancer - Macmillan information
Tips for managing eating problems - Macmillan information
NHS live well, eat well - Information and guidance about eating a healthy, balanced diet
Eating and drinking while having radiotherapy treatment - Cancer Research UK
Vitamins, diet supplements and cancer - CRUK
HHFT Information leaflets to support diet and nutrition:
- Coping with nausea and vomiting (HHFT)
- Coping with taste changes (HHFT)
- Eating well to prevent weight loss (HHFT)
- Dietary advice for people at risk of bowel obstruction
- Low fibre diet
- Food fortification (HHFT)
- Nourishing drinks (HHFT)
- Nourishing snacks (HHFT)
- Poor appetite (HHFT)
- Build up diet (Macmillan)
- Eating problems and cancer (Macmillan)
- Tips for a healthy lifestyle
Hampshire Hospitals have a psychological oncology service. This service is specific to patients diagnosed and living alongside a cancer and consists of a team of therapists, counsellors and psychologists who work together to help support your mental health and wellbeing.
A referral can be made by your cancer nurse specialist or your cancer support worker.
Please make contact with the team 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 Macmillan 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 gynaecological clinical nurse specialist team or support worker for further advice.
How are you feeling? The emotional effects of cancer - Macmillan booklet
How are you feeling - The emotional effects of cancer - Macmillan audiobook
After Your Gynaecological Surgery
Menopausal Symptoms:
Alternatives to HRT for symptoms of the menopause - Patient Information Factsheet created by University Hospital Southampton
Early menopause following cancer treatment - Patient Information Factsheet created by University Hospital Southampton
Menopausal symptoms - Macmillan information page
Managing Menopause - This is a YouTube webinar with Dr Louise Newson and Ovarian Cancer Charity, Ovacome.
My Menopause Centre - The only menopause clinic rated 'Outstanding' by the CQC. Our expert, experienced and empathetic team of menopause specialists will support you with evidence-based information and advice on menopause & symptoms, and recommend treatment options tailored to you.
A cancer diagnosis can affect relationships - whether it be with your partner, your children or your friends. Employment relationships can also be strained. Below is information you may find useful.
Relationships - Macmillan information
Cancer diagnosis and relationships - Macmillan information
Sex and cancer - Macmillan information
Cancer and your sex life - Macmillan information
Female pelvic side effects and your sex life
Sex and side effects of cancer treatment - Macmillan information
Relationships and advanced cancer - Macmillan information
Supporting my partner with cancer - Macmillan information
Relationships and other matters - Macmillan information (end of life care)
Talking to children and teenagers about cancer - Macmillan information
Talking to children and teenagers about cancer - Macmillan audiobook
Children and young people - This link directs you to the Macmillan site where there are a varity of booklets available to read. Log in is required.
Hair loss information and services
Below are services you can access, and if you are in need of a wig, please speak to your support worker or nurse specialist to discuss the Macmillan wig service where you can receive some reimbursement towards your wig.
Coping with hair loss - Macmillan information
Hair loss - Macmillan information
Hair loss during treatment - Macmillan information
Look Good Feel Better - Online or face to face service where you are able to learn new skills for your changing look due to treatment - for example loss of eyebrows or eyelashes; and gain advice on hair loss and new hair growth.
Wig services
Wigs for cancer treatment - This link takes you to a Macmillan page for the information for APPLYING FOR A FREE WIG OR PARTIAL COST TOWARDS A WIG
NHS Low Income Scheme - If you have a low income, you may be able to get help with NHS costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS).
Beesley Wigs - Hair and Wig centre, Berkshire
Innovation wigs and hair loss clinic - Southampton centre
Elite wigs - Ladies wigs in Southampton
Travel and cancer - there can be lots of things to consider before travelling with a cancer diagnosis, or if you have previously been diagnosed.
Travelling with cancer - Cancer Research CRUK
Travel - Macmillan information
Cancer and flying - Macmillan information
Free Will Service - Macmillan
Request your Gifts in Wills Guide - Cancer Research UK
Work and Cancer - Macmillan information
Cancer and Employment Rights - Macmillan information
Rights at work for employees with cancer: a guide to what you need to know - Macmillan Community
Benefits for people affected by cancer - Macmillan information
What benefits can I claim? - Cancer Research UK
Benefits if you are of pension age - Cancer Research UK
Macmillan Advice Service offer a range of benefit advice.
You can call Macmillan on 0808 808 00 00 from 8am to 8pm. It's free to call from landlines and mobiles withing the UK.
Below are links to some common financial concerns and some relevent services realting to the cost of living crisis.
Transport and Parking - If you have been diagnosed with cancer, you may be able to get free or discounted travel fares. You may also be able to get a Blue Badge to help with parking costs.
Everything In Our Power - When you're going through cancer treatment, you can end up with higher energy bills. That's why we're doing everything we can to help you save money and take back a little bit of power. We've got lots of useful information to help cut down your energy costs.
Energy Advice - If you are living with cancer and your energy bills increase, find out how we can help with access to energy schemes and grants.
Reducing your bills with energy efficiency - It’s important to look after yourself as best you can when you have cancer. An energy efficient home saves you money, keeps you warm, and helps look after the planet.
Macmillan Grants - Macmillan Grants are small, one-off means-tested payments to help with the extra costs that living with cancer can bring. Find out how to apply.
Grants and Loans - If you are living with cancer and need financial help, you may be able to get a grant or loan. Find out more about the different types.
Benefits and Financial Support - You may be able to claim benefits to help you in your situation. You may also be able to get financial assistance from other organisations.
Bills and Housing costs - You may be able to get help with housing costs. This could include rent or mortgage payments, council tax and home adaptations.
Household Support Grant Funding - Hampshire County Council have provided us with some of their Household Support Fund. This fund is to provide short-term help to households most in need. The fund helps with food, energy and water bills and other related essentials. This fund is limited. We will prioritise the households most in need. This scheme runs until 31 March 2024, or until all funds have been allocated. VIVID are no longer accepting applications as all their funds have been spent.
Cost of Living Assistance Fund - We are approaching our COLAF funding limit. The scheme remains open for applications but claims will only be paid subject to applicants meeting the qualifying criteria and enough available funding at the point that an application is decided. Applications are prioritised by date of receipt. The Cost of Living Assistance Fund (COLAF) is a new scheme to support residents across the borough facing financial difficulties due to the rising cost of living. Approved by councillors in February, the new £1 million Residents Assistance Fund will help households struggling to pay bills, with grants available to help pay for food and energy. This funding is in addition to support announced by the government and the Household Support Fund which will provide food vouchers for residents who receive certain benefits. These vouchers will be provided to eligible households shortly.
Below is the most recent invite for the Hampshire Hospitals Gynae-Oncology Support Group at The Ark Conference Centre, Basingstoke. The sessions are FREE OF CHARGE and are for diagnosed gynaecological cancer patients only.
The support group is on the third Monday of every month, where we have speakers (Macmillan Cancer Support, CNS visits, Trust Nutritionist...) for you to gain valuable information, and some sessions are peer support based where we have a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits.
Please feel free to come along to any of the sessions, a text or email to confirm attendance is appreciated.
Below is the most recent invite for the Hampshire Hospitals Gynae-Oncology Support Allotment in Stanmore, Winchester. The sessions are FREE OF CHARGE and are for diagnosed gynaecological cancer patients only.
The support allotment meets EVERY WEDNESDAY FROM 1 - 3 PM, where we enjoy the outdoors, plant seeds, manage their growth, peer support, and encourage some gentle activity with pulling, trimming and weeding. We also enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and bring your lunch to be ale to sit and enjoy the beautiful English weather.
Please feel free to come along to any of the sessions, a text or email to confirm attendance (as the session may be cancelled due to annual leave/weather conditions), where you shall be given the post code for the plot.
