Cancer services news stories

This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) patients have shared how routine screening through the post led to their bowel cancer diagnosis, and how taking part in a clinical research trial helped prepare them for surgery and quick recovery. Anthony Walsh and Rich Hawksworth, both from Derby have thanked teams who cared for them throughout their journey.

A dad of two who was diagnosed with bowel cancer, despite having no symptoms, has urged people to complete their own vital screening tests. 

Judith and Julia attended their routine breast screening appointment, and were diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, despite having no symptoms. For Breast Cancer Awareness month, they are sharing their stories to encourage other women to respond to the lifesaving invitation.

A 'humble' doctor who helped a patient recently diagnosed with cancer, has been recognised with a Patient Hero award for their compassion and making a significant impact to the patient and his family during their time at the Trust.

Kind-hearted colleagues from across UHDB have shown their support for a stem cell recruitment drive, which saw 298 colleagues join the DKMS stem cell register, potentially saving lives in what is believed to be the biggest drive ever held by an NHS Trust in the UK.

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.