Welcome to the Sir Robert Ogden McMillan Center at harut hospital we give many different types of treatment for cancer here including chemotherapy targeted therapies and immunotherapy these treatments are collectively known as systemic anti-cancer treatments abbreviated to sacked the treatment you receive will be depend dependent on your type of cancer
You will have already have had a discussion with your consultant about your diagnosis the treatment options and possible side effects this video will provide you with important information on what to expect on the day of your treatment how it will be given the possible side effects and what to do if
You feel unwell at any time during your course of treatment we also offer health and well-being services to help support you during your treatment our health and well-being information manager will contact you to discuss your individual needs and offer any additional support we are based at the Sir Robert Ogden
McMillan Center on the site of harut District Hospital the building is accessible from Williston cresant which is just off Lancaster Park Road car parking is free of charge to patients attending the center you will need to log your car registration number each day you enter the building on the touch screen at
Reception parking is available in the main hospital car park via Lancaster Park Road there is a drop off Bay directly in front of the main entrance however the maximum waiting time is 20 minutes only whilst you are welcome to drive to your appointments we would advise you not to on your first visit
Alternatively we are well connected via public transport when preparing for your treatment appointment it is advisable to wear comfortable clothes clothes and a top or a shirt that is either short sleeved or has sleeves that can be easily raised above the elbow you can eat and drink as normal beforehand in
Fact it is important to eat a light breakfast and drink plenty of water before you arrive please Ure you take any medications as you would normally including any premedications you may have been asked to take when you arrive you’ll be checked in at the main reception desk where the reception staff
Will direct you to the treatment unit there are wheelchairs available for use should you require them you’ll find the treatment unit directly along the main Corridor where a member of our nursing staff will greet you you may be asked to take a seat in our waiting area Refreshments will be offered to you
During your appointment we’ll provide you with a light lunch of sandwiches soup and cake please inform staff if you have any special dietory requirements to reduce the risk of infection we advise that visitors do not accompany you during your treatment however except exceptional circumstances will be considered please discuss this with your
Nurse in charge when you attend for your treatment free Wi-Fi is available to you throughout the building and you are welcome to bring in your mobile phones or tablet to use during your treatment you are also welcome to bring books and magazines with you as we are unable to
Provide these you will have been given an appointment for a face-to-face assessment with a nurse prior to starting your treatment during this appointment we will check your height weight blood pressure and take your Bloods along with any other pre-treatment investigations that may be necessary please ensure you’ve watched
This video prior to this appointment as it’s a good opportunity for us to answer any questions you may have at the preassessment appointment you’ll be given a wallet containing some important information this will include our 24-hour helpline card including who to contact if you become unw at home advice
On how to reduce your risk of infection a guide to our well-being and Supportive Services preventing blood clot inflammation blood room opening times written information about the treatment you’ll be receiving and a free car parking pass sacked can be given in various ways including by tablet injection or via a drip If you’re
Receiving your treatment via a drip the nurse will insert a canula a short thin tube into a vein in your hand or forearm in some circumstances you may be offered a pick line which is a long thin Hollow flexible tube inserted into one of the large veins in the upper
Arm your consultant or nurse will discuss this with you if necessary systemic anti-cancer treatment is given in Cycles this is a period of treatment followed by a rest period for instance you might receive treatment for one day in the first week followed by two weeks with no
Treatment these three weeks make up one cycle the rest period gives your body a chance to recover and build new healthy Cells hello my name is Jay I’m a medical oncologist that’s a doctor who specializes in treatment of cancer with medicines you may be looking at this section Because treatment has been recommended for you this can sometimes be a confusing and worrying time and understanding a little more may help you
To prepare our immune system protects the body against illnesses and infections immunotherapies are specific treatments that trigger the immune system to find and attack cancer cells there are different types of immunotherapy and each one uses the immune system in a slightly different way due to their action ction immunotherapies create side effects in
Different ways compared to traditional chemotherapy for example the side effects can come on early but may show themselves many months after treatment has finished immunotherapies can cause inflammation in different parts of the body most commonly the bowel liver skin lungs and hormon producing organs such as the thyroid
Gland we will explain the most common side effects here and it’s important to remember that everyone’s experience of treatment is different and you will not encounter all of these as immunotherapy uses your own immune system to attack cancer cells this can also cause inflammation of healthy cells too which causes the side
Effects this can show itself as increased shortness of breath changes in your vision behavioral changes severe persistent headaches and muscle weakness it’s important that you contact the acute oncology helpline immediately If you experience any of the above your Cancer Care team can provide you with advice and medications to help deal with
Any problems most side effects will ease or go away completely after you have finished your course of treatment occasionally some people will have an allergic reaction whilst receiving their treatment a reaction is usually mild but rarely can be more severe the nurses working on the treatment unit are highly
Trained to manage these situations should they occur always tell your nurse straight away if you feel unwell or you have any of the following symptoms feeling hot or flushed shivering itching a skin rash feeling dizzy a headache feeling breathless or wheezy swelling of your face or mouth pain in your back abdomen or
Chest sometimes a reaction happens a few hours after treatment if you develop any signs or feel unwell when you’re at home contact the acute oncology 24-hour helpline straight away if the drug leaks outside the vein it can damage the surrounding tissue this is called extravasation this is uncommon but if it
Happens it is important to to treat it quickly tell your nurse straight away if you have any stinging pain redness or swelling around the sight if you get any of these symptoms after you get home contact the acute oncology 24-hour Healthline immunotherapy attacks good cells in the
Body as well as the cancer cells if the number of white blood cells is low you are more likely to get an infection a low white blood cell count is sometimes called neutropenia blood cells are likely to be at their lowest 7 to 10 days following
Ch therapy it is important to get any infection treated as soon as possible so please contact the acute oncology helpline If you experience any of the following symptoms your temperature goes over 37.5 you suddenly feel unwell even with a normal temperature your temperature goes below 36 feeling shivery and shaking a sore
Throat or mouth a cough breathlessness diarrhea needing to pass urine a lot or discomfort when you pass urine remember careful food preparation and avoiding some food types will also help to prevent infection please refer to the reducing your risk of infection booklet for further advice on high and lower risk
Foods a number of white blood cells will usually return to normal before your next treatment you will have a blood test beforehand to check this if your white blood cell count is low your consultant May delay your treatment usually for a week until your white cell count increases this is quite common so
Don’t worry if this happens you will receive anti-sickness drugs to help prevent or control sickness during your treatment we recommend that you take this medication as prescribed to you as it is easier to prevent sickness than to treat it after it has started if you feel sick take small sips
Of fluid often and eat small amounts regularly it’s important to drink enough fluids if you continue to feel sick or or are sick contact the acute oncology 24-hour helpl line as soon as possible the nurse will give you advice and may change the anti-sickness drug to one
That works better for you it is normal to experience a loss of appetite or taste changes when receiving cancer treatment if this does not improve after a few days tell your nurse who will give you advice they can also refer you to our McMillan dietitian if
Needed it is normal for the treatment to affect your bowel habits and you may experience diarrhea or constipation if you have diarrhea try the following things try to drink at least 2 lers of water each day avoid alcohol caffeine milk products high fat foods and high fiber
Foods If you experience more than four episodes in 24 hours contact the acute oncology helpline as soon as possible to rule out any cause of infection if you have constipation try eating high fiber foods such as fruit fruits vegetables and whole meal bread and take regular gentle exercise
Such as going for a short walk please speak to your nurse or call the acute oncology helpline if you need any further information treatments can sometimes reduce the number of red blood cells in your blood red blood cells carry oxygen around the body if the number of red
Blood cells is low this is called anemia you may have symptoms such as pale skin lack of energy feeling Breathless and feeling dizzy and laded if you are very anemic you may need a blood transfusion which will be discussed if required the number of platelets in your blood can
Also be reduced these cells help the blood to clot and stop bleeding if the number of platelets is low you may bruise or bleed easily you may experience symptoms such as bleeding gums or nose bleeds tell your doctor if you have any unexplained bruising or bleeding it is very common to experience
A feeling of tightness or exhaus you may find it difficult doing simple things such as brushing your hair or getting dressed concentrating or remembering things or feeling like you have no energy or strength it is possible to manage fatigue and your nurse will be able to advise you on this
It is usually gets better after treatment finishes but it may continue or sometimes afterwards everyone experiences it differently the cause of cancer related fatigue is not fully understood but there are many possible causes the cancer itself side effects of the treatment anemia eating problems pain psychological effects of cancer or
The treatment you may notice some changes to your skin if your skin feels dry try using an unperfumed moisturizing cream every day if you develop a rash contact the acute oncology helpline during treatment and for several months afterwards you’ll be more sensitive to the sun your skin may burn
More easily than usual you can still go out in the sun but always use a high sun protection factor or SPF of at least 30 and cover up with clothing and a hat any changes to your skin are usually temporary and improve when treatment finishes during your treatment you are
At an increased risk of developing raised blood sugar levels and diabetes your blood glucose level will be monitored regularly please let your nurse know if you are experiencing increased thirst feeling tired and passing urine more frequently if you already have diabetes your blood sugar levels may be higher than usual you’ll
Be asked to monitor your blood sugars regularly at home as the dose of your insulin or diabetes tablets may need adjusting cancer and some Cancer Treatments can increase the risk of a blood clot symptoms of a blood clot include throbbing pain redness or swelling in a leg or arm suddenly
Feeling breathless or coughing sharp chest pain which may be worse when you cough or take a deep breath if you have any of these symptoms contact the acute oncology 24-hour help line immediately or go straight to accident and emergency especially if you have chest pain a blood clot is serious
But it can be treated with drugs that thin the blood these are called anti-coagulants your doctor or nurse can give you more information you can help reduce the risk of developing a blood clot by staying active during treatment drinking plenty of fluids especially water you may be given anti coagulants
To help prevent a clot it’s strongly advised that you don’t get pregnant when you are receiving cancer treatment as this can harm the developing baby if you are sexually active please ensure that you use a barrier method of contraception during your treatment and for up to 3 days
Afterwards some Cancer drugs may affect your fertility now or in the future please speak to your consultant or cancer nurse specialist if you would like to discuss this further if you think you need any dental treatment please talk to your consultant or cancer nurse as there is an increased risk of infection