What is Cancer?
Cancer occurs when abnormal cells divide in an uncontrolled way, and they can lead to the development of a growth or tumour. There are more than 200 different types of cancer, defined by the cell within which the cancer originates.
A primary tumour is the name for where a cancer starts. Cancer can sometimes spread to other parts of the body – this is called a secondary tumour or a metastasis.
Cancer and its treatments can affect body systems, such as the blood circulation, lymphatic and immune systems, and the hormone system. (Cancer Research UK What is cancer? | Cancer Research UK)
The Changing Story of Cancer
Sadly, we know that more and more people will experience cancer. The number of people diagnosed with a cancer in their lifetime is growing and now 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed at some time in their lives.
There’s around 3 million people living with cancer in the UK in 2020, and this figure is set to rise to 4m by 2030 and 5.3 million by 2040.
But more and more people will survive cancer too. We know that people are living with cancer for longer, treatments are improving, and diagnosis is occurring earlier for many people.
(Macmillan Cancer Support Statistics Factsheet updated October 2022 PowerPoint Presentation (macmillan.org.uk))
Treatments are Improving Survival
People are now twice as likely to survive for at least 10 years after a cancer diagnosis than they were 40 years ago. Cancer is increasingly being viewed as a long-term condition.
Diagnosing people earlier, and vast improvements in treatment and care e.g. immunotherapies and targeted treatments are offering more options for people with previously untreatable cancers.
It’s therefore more important than ever to recognise that everyone’s experience and needs will be different, and they’ll have to be supported in a way that’s best for them.
Surviving Cancer Treatment Doesn’t Always Mean Living Well
It is a common misconception by society but also amongst health professionals that once cancer treatment is over, that people should feel ‘back to normal, be relieved, get back on with life’ but this isn’t possible for many people.LWBC-Report-2017_tcm9-317400.pdf (macmillan.org.uk)
Many people who survive cancer then find themselves living in poor health. They may struggle with physical and mental health issues that affect their ability to live the life they want. Cancer can cost people their physical and mental health, their jobs, their financial security, even their homes and families.
- Physical effects – A lot of cancer treatments affect healthy cells as well as the cancer cells. People may have changes to their body, and many of these effects can last beyond the end of the treatment e.g. removal of organs/limbs, persistent hair loss, fatigue, swallowing problems, nerve pain after chemotherapy. Cured but at what cost report
- Financial – People may not able to work or may need to change jobs. There are also increased costs throughout cancer treatment e.g. food bills, heating, clothing (changes in body shape).Money and Cancer Policy Report (macmillan.org.uk)
- Psychological – A cancer diagnosis comes with understandable anxiety and fear. 70% of people living with cancer need emotional support. 2 in 5 people experience depression, 1 in 10 anxiety – Macmillan Cancer Support. Hidden at Home – The Social Care Need of People Living with Cancer. 2015. hidden-at-home (macmillan.org.uk)
- Practical – Around two in three people living with cancer have practical support or social care needs (64%).hidden-at-home (macmillan.org.uk)
What is the Role for Primary Care?
Cancer Care Reviews are an opportunity for a patient to have a supported conversation with a member of their Primary Care Team to discuss the wider impact that their cancer diagnosis is having on their life and to work together to create a personalised plan based on their concerns. This consultation should be structured, and GP practices are advised to use the Macmillan Cancer Care Review template to guide the conversation. Cancer Care Reviews in Primary Care | Macmillan Cancer Support
Cancer Care Review
Cancer Care Reviews are an opportunity for a patient to have a supported conversation with a member of their Primary Care Team to discuss the wider impact that their cancer diagnosis is having on their life and to work together to create a personalised plan based on their concerns. This consultation should be structured, and GP practices are advised to use the Macmillan Cancer Care Review template to guide the conversation. Cancer Care Reviews in Primary Care | Macmillan Cancer Support
Training and Education Resources
Here you will find a collection of educational resources – some are websites with free online courses, other links are fee paying courses which are particularly relevant to supporting people living with cancer.
This toolkit provides a collection of key resources about cancer prevention and diagnosis care relevant for the primary care settings Primary care cancer toolkit: Continued Professional Development Training and Appraisal | Home (rcgp.org.uk)
Cancer screening and prevention. Suspected cancer, diagnosis and treatment, and living with and beyond cancer. It takes Approx. 30 minutes to complete. Changing Story of Cancer – E-Learning For Health.
Online Cancer education for health care professionals Online cancer education for healthcare professionals – Cancer digital playbook – NHS Transformation Directorate (england.nhs.uk)
The early cancer diagnosis resource Home – GatewayC
GPN based resources Resources for practice nurses | Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan Cancer Care GPN course
Register for account Macmillan Learning Hub (microsoft.com)
Access Learning for GPN Macmillan (fuseuniversal.com)
- The Macmillan GPN Course is a blended learning programme incorporating e-learning, self-directed learning and virtual facilitated sessions. The programme is designed specifically for Practice nurses to enhance their knowledge and skills in cancer care to provide holistic support to people living with and beyond cancer by achieving the following outcomes:
- Developing an understanding of cancer and its treatments, recognising cancer as a long-term condition
- Enhancing your knowledge, skills, and confidence of the Practice Nurse role to take a more active role in managing cancer as a long-term condition
- Exploring how you can become a resource for cancer knowledge for colleagues in the practice setting by providing holistic support to people living with and beyond cancer
- Considering and beginning to plan ways in which you can improve and enhance services within your own workplace for people living with cancer