Download The Skin Cancer Multi-disciplinary Team

Jubilee Wing
The Skin Cancer
Multi-disciplinary
Team
Information
Introduction
This information leaflet is for you if you have had a skin cancer
diagnosed.
It introduces the team of people caring for you and gives some
basic information about your care.
Both verbal and written information will be available for you.
You may be given an Information Prescription (IPS) specific to
your type of cancer that will enable you to access and read
through information that is relevant to your type of skin cancer.
Diagnosis
A biopsy of your skin is used to confirm your diagnosis and this
may be the only treatment you require.
Depending on the results you may need to be referred to other
members of the Skin Cancer Multi Disciplinary Team for further
treatments.
The Multidisciplinary Team
This is a group of doctors and nurses who are involved in all
aspects of skin cancer care.
Your test results and medical history are discussed in the
fortnightly multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings held by the Skin
Cancer Team.
The MDT consider your individual case and the most appropriate
treatment plan for you. This information is then discussed with
you. Your GP will be informed of the MDT decisions involving
your care.
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You will not meet all the professionals in the MDT but the whole
team will be involved in discussing your case.
You may meet or be given contact details of the clinical nurse
specialist (CNS) who will be your keyworker and can act as a
central point of contact to help co-ordinate your care.
The Skin Cancer Team
Dermatologists: specialists in skin conditions including skin
cancers.
Plastic Surgeons: specialists in skin grafts and reconstructive
surgery.
Maxillo-Facial Surgeons: specialists in head and neck and
reconstructive surgery.
Ocular Surgeon: specialist in surgery involving the eye.
Oncologist: specialist in cancer treatments.
Histopathologist: specialist in analysing skin tissue samples.
Skin Cancer Nurse Specialist: (CNS) a nurse who has
undergone specialist training and has a particular expertise in
skin cancer.
MDT Meeting Coordinator: the person who organises patient
notes and minutes the decision of the meetings.
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About skin cancer and the clinical nurse specialist
(CNS)/keyworker service
Although many people are affected by skin cancer, there are
different kinds of cancers and so the needs of skin cancer
patients are quite varied.
The vast majority of skin cancers are not life-threatening and after
simple removal cause no further problems. If you have this type
of problem you may not require contact with the CNS.
Other skin cancers, especially malignant melanomas, may
require more complex surgery and occasionally referral to other
hospitals for specialist tests or treatments. In this case more
support and information is needed and so the CNS would be your
keyworker.
A keyworker is the person who is central to a patient’s care at
this time and can act as a point of contact and co-ordinator for
you.
If you are seeing different teams within the hospital or at more
than one hospital, the CNS can act as a liaison between the
professionals involved and make the process as smooth as
possible.
When your contact with the hospital becomes less frequent or
has come to an end, the nurse can hand over the role of
keyworker to a professional in the community. This is usually
your GP but our keyworker can still be contacted in the future
should you need further advice or reassurance.
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Providing support and information
Waiting for test results or receiving a diagnosis of a serious skin
cancer can be a very difficult time and the skin cancer nurse
specialist will be available to you to offer emotional support.
The nurse will provide written information about the cancer and
the tests that may be offered as well as more general literature
about our local cancer services. This may be in the form of an
Information Prescription that directs you to relevant websites
as well as providing leaflets and booklets.
Once treatment is finished the nurse will provide information
about future skin care and preventative measures appropriate to
the situation.
Who can help?
There are many people who can help you:
Your GP or District Nurse.
Local and national voluntary organisations. These groups
allow you to meet or talk to others who have experienced
cancer. Many offer one to one support, complementary
therapies, trained counsellors and group meetings. You can
contact them anonymously.
Spiritual help. Many local religious groups offer help and
support, including the Hospital Chaplaincy.
Skin cancer nurse specialist.
Psychological support. There is a clinical psychologist at the
hospital who can provide more in depth support. Please ask
your keyworker/CNS who can refer you to the service.
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National sources of help and advice:
 0808 800 1234
Cancerbackup
Free phone helpline. They also produced booklets on different
types of tumours and living with cancer.
www.cancerbackup.org.uk
Changing Faces
 0845 4500 275
A charity that supports people who have disfigurements of the
face or body from any cause.
01722 415071
Marc's (skin cancer) helpline
British Red Cross Skin Camouflage Service  0845 054 7171
 0845 46 47
NHS Direct
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Useful websites:
Coping with Cancer
Cancer Research UK
Macmillan Cancer Support
Skin Cancer – the Facts
SunSmart (Australia)
Veterans Agency
Wessex Cancer Trust
www.c-w-c.org.uk
www.cancerresearchuk.co.uk
www.macmillan.org.uk
www.skincancerfacts.org.uk
www.sunsmart.com.au
www.veterans-uk.info
www.wessexcancer.org
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For further information on all aspects of living with a
diagnosis of cancer and any questions or concerns
regarding your diagnosis please contact:
Skin Cancer Nurse Specialist
Skin Care Centre
Jubilee Wing
Kettering General Hospital
Monday – Friday
0800hrs – 1600hrs
 01536 492854 (answerphone available)
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Use this space to list questions you would like to ask:
If you need this information in another format or language,
please telephone 01536 492510.
Further information about the Trust is available on the
following websites:
KGH - www.kgh.nhs.uk | NHS Choices - www.nhs.uk
Ref: PI.510 July 2012
Review: April 2014
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