Cancer services news stories

Today, Wednesday 26 April, is National Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Day.

Cancer CNS workers are highly specialised, experienced nurses who play a vital role in the cancer workforce, using their training to build a sense of trust, honesty and openness with their patients in order to support them in the best possible way.

Here at UHDB, we have 60 CNS colleagues who are taking care of patients and their families who are living with cancer and undergoing treatment. We spoke to Kerry Pape, Lead Cancer Nurse Manager, about what their role involves and why it is important to shine a spotlight on these valued colleagues on National Cancer CNS Day:

A mum of two who was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer, despite not having any symptoms, has urged women to attend vital screening.

Michelle Camm was delivered the shock news that she had Stage 3c cervical cancer in July 2020.

A leading cancer charity has visited UHDB to see the cervical cancer screening lab in action that serves the whole of the East Midlands.

The visit happened as part of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (23 January-29 January), which aims to raise awareness and increase the number of women getting screened for the preventable disease.  

A UHDB colleague who helps patients following a skin cancer diagnosis has been hailed a ‘rock’ by one patient who nominated her for a Making a Difference Award.

Joanne Douglas, Skin cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist, helps many skin cancer patients in her role but the compassion she showed to one patient was so exceptional that the patient went on to nominate her as her ‘Patient hero’.

Today is World Radiography Day and to celebrate we are shining a light on UHDB’s fantastic radiotherapy department and a new innovative treatment they are delivering to cancer patients in our community.

The team at Royal Derby Hospital have been working hard behind the scenes to introduce a Surface Guided Radiotherapy solution which means patients can now ​still have ​highly precise treatment but will no longer be left with visible tattoos and marks following treatment.

UHDB continues to encourage cancer patients to act if they have any concerns they may have symptoms. This follows the release of a survey that found previous and current cancer patients in Derby and Burton had given the Trust some of the highest scores in the Midlands for the care they received.

Women treated for ovarian cancer in Derby and Derbyshire have the best five-year survival rate in the East Midlands, according to a report. A study by the British Gynaecological Cancer Society, in partnership with Public Health England, reveals that NHS Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) had the best five-year survival rate for women receiving ovarian cancer treatment.

A cervical cancer patient is reminding other women of the importance of going for a smear test.

Bec, who lives in Derbyshire, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in May 2020. As part of Cervical Cancer Awareness Week, she is also encouraging women to go for their smear tests regularly.

UHDB is one of only a handful of Trusts in the UK now offering a brand new procedure designed to improve the quality of life of prostate cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. 

The minimally invasive procedure, known as SpaceOAR Hydrogel, involves a layer of protective gel being inserted between the prostate and the rectum, so as to ensure that the highest dose of radiation is limited to the prostate only.

Radiotherapy patients experiencing any late side effects following treatment can now benefit from a vital new UHDB service.