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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. 2 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. 3 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. 4 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. 5 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 6 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) 7 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 8