The Consequences of Treatment Programme

The vMDT is a secure online forum providing healthcare professionals quick and easy access to multi-specialist advice for their patients complex or severe chronic symptoms following cancer treatment. The aim is to improve the outcomes and quality of life for people experiencing these issues. Read more and access the vMDT.

We have developed an easy to access and use consequences of cancer toolkit with the RCGP. It provides resources and information for primary care professionals to identify and manage the consequences of cancer treatment, and support patients to live well after a cancer diagnosis. It is designed to be used by any general practice in the UK, and is appropriate for everyone who provides or commissions services for people living with and beyond cancer. You can access it on the RCGP website. 

This guidance document has been developed by the Gastrointestinal and Nutrition team at the Royal Marsden Hospital for all health professionals looking after people who have persistent upper gastrointestinal symptoms after any cancer treatment. Download the guidance.

Around 90,000 people are living with chronic gastrointestinal problems such as chronic diarrhoea, faecal incontinence, urgency, pain and bleeding – particularly following pelvic radiotherapy or surgery. This quick guide to help non-specialists identify and manage people experiencing these symptoms, which may not appear for months or even years after their treatment has completed. Download Managing lower gastrointestinal problems after cancer treatment: A quick guide for health professionals.

A top tips one-pager [PDF] is also available for quick reference.

This guide is designed to aid clinical nurse specialists looking after patients with pelvic radiation disease working in conjunction with a gastroenterologist. It gives practical guidance on investigating and treating the gastrointestinal symptoms of patients following pelvic radiotherapy. Order Guidance: The Practical Management of the Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Pelvic Radiation Disease from be.Macmillan.

Approximately 60% of people who are diagnosed with colorectal and anal cancer will survive more than five years after their treatment. Treatment for colorectal or anal cancer includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, either alone or in combination depending on cancer stage and patient fitness. There is a growing need to improve management of the long-term consequences of these treatments in order to support patient recovery and optimise quality of life. The guide Managing the long term consequences of colorectal and anal cancer provides information for professionals on how to manage people who have been diagnosed with colorectal and anal cancer and to ensure that they are offered appropriate information, support and care so that consequences of their treatment can be minimised where possible.

Aimed at all professionals, the guidance has been endorsed by Beating Bowel Cancer UK, the National Colorectal Cancer Nurses Network, the UK Oncology Nursing Society, The Society and College of Radiographers, Bowel Cancer UK and the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland.

The main purpose of this document is to ensure that women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer will be offered appropriate information on the signs and symptoms of long-term consequences of pelvic radiotherapy. Download Guidance on Long-Term Consequences of Treatment for Gynaecological Cancer.

Practical guides for health professionals who are supporting men with erectile dysfunction following:

• Surgery
• Radiotherapy and Hormone Therapy.

Produced in collaboration with Prostate Cancer UK.

Some cancer treatments can lead to heart problems, especially in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular (CV) risk factors.

The Managing heart health during and after cancer treatment guide provides basic recommendations on the management of heart health during and after cancer treatment. It is aimed mainly at primary care professionals, but will be useful to anyone involved in the care of people living with and beyond cancer.

The guide has been endorsed by the British Cardio-Oncology Society (BC-OS), the British Heart Foundation (BHF), The Society for Professionals with an interest in Cardiovascular Disease in General Practice (CVGP) and the United Kingdom Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS).

The guidance in this document is supported by The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) (Faculty of Clinical Oncology) – October 2015.

A top tips one-pager [PDF] is also available for quick reference.

This document identifies core domains of care for patients living with and beyond cancer. With endorsement from RCN and UKONS we hope that this document will encourage nurses working in any healthcare setting, at any level, to acquire new skills and to embrace innovative ways of managing cancer as a long-term condition. Download A Competence Framework for Nurses: Caring for Patients Living with and Beyond Cancer.

This provides, for the first time, estimates on the numbers of people in the UK suffering from distressing conditions as a result of their cancer treatment. It includes recommendations for healthcare professionals, service managers, commissioners, policy makers and researchers. Download the report or see our supporting summary document Cured, but at What Cost? [PDF].

The toilet card is designed to help people suffering from bowel and bladder problems resulting from cancer treatment.

The card and key ring can be separated along the perforation, so they can easily be carried. It should be shown to gain access to a toilet when out in public.

This is designed for people who have had pelvic radiotherapy. It includes trigger questions and a symptom checklist.

If anyone answers ‘yes’ to any of the trigger questions, then they should seek further support from a healthcare professional. They can complete the symptom checklist, so they have something to give the professional, rather than just speaking about it. It also comes with a Macmillan toilet card.

Discover all our patient resources for coping with side effects and symptoms during and after treatment.