Download Newly Diagnosed with Cancer! - Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals

Doncaster and Bassetlaw Cancer Services User Group
Newly Diagnosed with Cancer!
Frequently Asked Questions
The logo was designed by Ruth Varga
A pupil of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School
DP4624/19477/02.06
This leaflet has been written for you by
patients who have experienced cancer
Frequently asked questions by patients
newly diagnosed with cancer
Is this cancer life threatening?
Cancer can be life threatening like
many other diseases, however with
modern treatments many patients live
a long life despite cancer.
What treatments are available?
There are a number of treatments
for cancer. The most commonly used
are surgery to remove the cancer,
chemotherapy, radiotherapy and
hormone treatments.
How long will I have to wait before
treatment starts?
Treatment should generally start within
31 days of you being told you have
cancer.
Where will the treatment be carried
out?
If you are having surgery,
chemotherapy or hormone treatment,
this will probably be carried out in
Doncaster or Bassetlaw. Some surgery
and chemotherapy is carried out at
Sheffield hospitals, but whenever
possible your follow up care will be at
doncaster. Radiotherapy is generally
done at Weston Park Hospital in
Sheffield which houses the special
machines used for this treatment.
Who will decide the treatment I am
given?
Once your diagnosis has been
confirmed by your consultant, a
meeting called the MDT meeting is
held. At this meeting your consultant,
other consultants specialising in
cancer surgery or treatment, nurses,
radiologist (who reports on x-rays you
may have had), histopathologist (who
looks at the cells under a microscope),
oncologist (specialist cancer doctor)
and other members of the health
care team, discuss the best treatment
options for you. Your consultant will
discuss with you the treatment options
and help you make the decision about
what’s best for you.
Can I bring someone with me to my
next appointment?
What are the possible side effects
of treatment?
It will be necessary if you require
surgery and sometimes patients
requiring chemotherapy or
radiotherapy need to go to hospital.
The side effects will vary depending on
what treatment you and your doctor
decide is best for you. You will be told
the possible side effects you can expect
before you consent to treatment.
How long will the course of
treatment last?
Surgical treatment will require a short
stay in hospital. Chemotherapy is
usually given as a course of treatment
which may involve weekly infusions
or tablets for a period of weeks.
Radiotherapy is usually given in courses
of treatment on a daily or weekly basis.
Hormone treatment is usually given in
tablets and may last for many months
or years.
Is it possible to meet other patients
who have been through treatment?
Yes, your specialist nurse will have
names of previous patients who would
be willing to meet with you and share
their experiences. Your specialist nurse
can give you information about cancer
support groups which meet locally.
Yes, it is encouraged. Having someone
with you helps you remember any
questions you may want to ask and
can also help you remember the
information you were given.
Will it be necessary for me to be
admitted to hospital?
Will my carer be given support
whilst I am having treatment?
You can ask your doctor or specialist
nurse who to contact for support. This
may be Social Services or other agencies
if your carer needs practical or financial
support. The “Care Together” project
at St John’s Information and Support
Centre and Bassetlaw Hospice, provides
advice and emotional support for
carers.
If my carer or I have any additional
questions, who should I contact?
In the first instance you should contact
your specialist nurse or doctor for any
questions about your treatment or care.
If you have questions about home,
you may wish to visit your GP who can
advise you on local services and care
in the community. There are also some
helpful sources of information about
cancer on the following numbers and
websites.
Local support:
St Johns Information and Support
Centre
www.caretogether.co.uk
01302 796600
Bassetlaw Hospice
www.bassetlawhospice.org
01777 869239
www.piesforcancer.info
National support:
www.cancerbacup.org.uk
www.macmillan.org.uk
If I need help or assistance
during my treatment will this be
available?
Yes, if you need help with your
personal care or getting about during
treatment you can ask your specialist
nurse or GP for help. They may be able
to get you the help needed by referring
you to an agency such as Social Services.
If I am unable to work during my
illness, is financial help available?
There are benefits you may be able
to claim. You can obtain advice from
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), Disability
Information and Advice Line (DIAL) or
your local social security office.
DIAL UK
DIAL Doncaster
Doncaster CAB
Bassetlaw CAB
National Disability Benefits
Macmillan Benefits Advice Line
01302 310123
01302 327800
01302 735225
01909 476049
0800 882200
0808 8010304
This leaflet has been written for you by patients who have experienced cancer.
Doncaster and Bassetlaw Cancer Services User Group.