New service for Radiotherapy patients launched at RCHT

Introducing the Late Effects Clinic

Last year, the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust launched a pilot programme for a Late Effects service across the South West.  The Late Effects Clinic is aimed specifically towards patients who have had previous radiotherapy to either their breast or pelvic areas and are struggling with any pain and/or discomfort following their initial treatment.

“Radiotherapy late effects are symptoms that can happen any time from 3 to 6 months to many years after your radiotherapy treatment has ended,” explains Emma Crozier, Late Effects Radiographer at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust.  “After cancer treatment, many people will go on to recover and return to their roles, responsibilities, and hobbies.  However, there will be some people who will still suffer pain and discomfort following their initial treatment, or they may find that the side effects they developed during their treatment never went away, and this is something the Late Effects Clinic is here to help with.”

“Late effects of radiotherapy can vary between people and depend on which part of the body you had treated,” Emma continues.  “For some patients these late effects can be a mild discomfort and not cause any lasting problems, or they can be more severe and affect how you live.  Some of the symptoms and complaints that the Late Effects Clinic can help with include pain or swelling around the initial treatment, skin changes, and loss of movement or function.

If you had your pelvis treated you may have concerns about bowel, bladder, gynaecological or erectile symptoms. Whichever part of the body you had radiotherapy to, you may have concerns about intimacy and sexual wellbeing.  Whatever the circumstances might be, the Late Effects Clinic is here to help.”

The pilot programme for the new service was launched in October, and since that time Emma has already booked in 15 patients.  “The response so far has been fantastic,” Emma continues. “The pilot programme covers the whole of the South West, so we’re working within a network to develop pathways and guidelines to ensure our patients get the best possible care and that we can provide advice and information for anyone living with the pain and discomfort of their radiotherapy treatment.”

Anyone looking to get referred to the Late Effects Clinic can speak to their surgeon, GP or Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), or they can make a self-referral via the Sunrise Centre at the Royal Cornwall Hospital.  For more information about the new service please contact 07876745700.