Problems following treatment for cancer: Building a picture and pathways for Manchester Cancer (UK) 2015-2018
Higham, Claire E Wilby, L. O'Rourke, C. Makin, Wendy P
Higham, Claire E
Wilby, L.
O'Rourke, C.
Makin, Wendy P
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Abstract
Background: Greater Manchester Cancer (GMC) is the cancer program for Greater Manchester�s (GM) devolved health and social care system. 13 tumor-specific (TPB�s) and 7 cross-cutting (inc Living With and Beyond Cancer (LWBCPB)) pathway boards were formed to support this. Aims:The LWBCPB tasked the TPB�s to describe late consequences of treatment, define current care pathways/resources and highlight service gaps. Methods: Questionnaires were sent to all TPB�s. Returned questionnaires (11/13) from 2015-18 were analysed quantitatively (Excel) and qualitatively (Nvivo). Results: Frequent cross cutting long term effects were fatigue(9/11 TPB�s), psychological distress(7/11), sexual dysfunction(6/11), memory loss(5/11), neuropathy(5/11). Management strategies were described; eg, for fatigue; specific workshops(11/11), verbal +/- written advice(7/11), referral to other HCP(6/11). Tumour specific long term effects included a mix of clinical and psychosocial issues; with all TPB�s providing information to patients; only 6/11 to Primary Care. Limited evidence was given for active screening for long term effects. Resources offered included national websites, charities, local services and support groups. For specific clinical issues eg cardiac; referral was mainly to local services; despite identification of clinicians with an interest in LWBC offering specialist services within GM. Lack of resource was the commonly cited reason for absence of care pathways. Identified gaps in current approaches to management were; lack of access to specific resources(11/11) (psychology(7/11), specialist nurse(2/11), hospice care(2/11); inequity of access to resources(7/11); need for specific pathways and referral guidance(3/11). Conclusions: Long term consequences of cancer treatments are cross-cutting. GMC PB�s are an opportunity to use these baseline data to define and implement locally appropriate LWBC pathways including optimal referral, screening and communication with primary care.
Description
Date
2019
Publisher
Collections
Keywords
Type
Meetings and Proceedings
Citation
Higham CE, Wilby L, O'Rourke C, Makin W. Problems following treatment for cancer: Building a picture and pathways for Manchester Cancer (UK) 2015-2018. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2019;37(31_suppl):145-.