I have been a qualified nurse for over 14 years. I trained at The Royal Marsden and completed a chemotherapy in cancer care course, and have specialised in cancer nursing ever since. My specialist areas include breast, gynaecological, brain and prostate cancers, with a strong interest in other solid and haematological cancers. I also have a diploma in cancer counselling.
All this specialist knowledge and experience is incredibly important in my role as a cancer nurse specialist for Reframe Cancer. A job that is immensely rewarding and tough at the same time, but being able to make a difference in someone’s life and being the best advocate for them is something I strongly believe in. I chose to work for Reframe as I saw there was a need for additional cancer support outside of what hospitals can offer.
I provide patients with personalised, one-to-one clinical and emotional support, providing expert care and clear communication at every stage of their cancer journey. Clear communication shouldn’t be underestimated. I am trained in advanced communication skills, which is invaluable in healthcare and particularly in patient cancer support. Patients can be overwhelmed by what is in front of them, and there is always a lot of information they need to process.
I also work alongside our cancer support managers, who provide practical care and support. They can be chasing follow-up consultations and appointments one minute, then sorting patient travel needs the next, so patients can get to and from appointments safely. Sometimes it is just being that person who can join up the gaps and navigate them between NHS and private support, so nothing is missed.
Cancer nurse specialists become a trusted point of contact as patients undergo one of the hardest experiences they will ever go through. Many feel overwhelmed by the fear of the unknown, and they want someone whom they can trust to talk to and confide in. They can also be asked to make complex life-changing decisions around treatment options. They need that time with a cancer nurse specialist to talk this through and have someone who can not only clearly explain complex clinical information but also advocate for their wishes, but many cancer patients do not have this.
In terms of access to NHS cancer nurse specialists, it can be a postcode lottery, depending on where you live. There are also many different types of treatment that can happen; no two journeys or treatment plans are the same, and there are over 200 different types of cancer. That’s why it is so important to have a personalised support and care plan in place that is dedicated to the individual patient.
One of the key results highlighted in our recent patient outcomes data showed that after engaging with a cancer nurse specialist, 94% of patients said they felt less stressed, which can lower symptom burden, leading to better tolerance of treatment. This shows the direct impact of what we do and how it can benefit patients and create a positive outcome.
The data also highlighted much more about the role we play in patients’ lives. Eight in ten patients (82%) accessed care faster, and this can lead to an earlier stage at diagnosis and less intensive treatment. Nine in ten (90%) said they understood what to do next, helping reduce missed appointments and improving adherence at a time when confusion and anxiety are common.
Crucially, our nurses saved patients an average of 16 days across their pathway, time that can quite literally mean the difference between early and late diagnosis. This really shows not just the breadth of work and support we undertake for patients, but also what patients are dealing with every day, what support they really need and the positive impact of having it in place.
We get a lot of questions that cancer patients desperately want answers to: 'What happens next?' 'Will I be OK?' 'How do I live life after going through cancer?' Patients are facing the unknown, even after their treatment ends. My hope is that I can use my expert clinical knowledge to support patients to live as well as possible both through treatment and beyond.
I feel very honoured to work as a cancer nurse specialist, and at Reframe, I have been able to implement and improve changes to patient care. To be the person providing care and supporting patients during their cancer experience is a privilege.
