Resources for Clinical Nurse Specialists

We have tools and resources for Clinical Nurse Specialists who support people living with cancer.

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Macmillan Learning Hub
Sign up to access a wide range of education and training, including eLearning courses, toolkits, videos and resources to help you in your role.
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Clinical updates for Clinical Nurse Specialists

Stay up to date with the latest developments in cancer care, with expert news, opinion and analysis. You'll also find blogs about our professionals and the fantastic work they do.

Read our latest blogs for healthcare professionals.

Read our prehabilitation resources for healthcare professionals.

Subscribe to our newsletters

We publish a range of newsletters for professionals who support people living with cancer. Whatever your role, we'll support you with clinical updates, tools and resources.

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ACCEND programme

Funded by NHS England and co-delivered with Macmillan, the Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development (ACCEND) programme provides clear and transparent guidance and direction on the knowledge, skills and capabilities required by healthcare professionals who care for people affected by cancer. It has been designed for people in non-oncology roles and specialist cancer services that are part of multi-professional teams across the UK.

Find out more about the ACCEND programme.

Innovation in cancer care resources

We invest in programmes and services to help professionals adopt new and innovative ways to deliver cancer care in the UK. Working in communities and with the NHS, we fund pilots to improve experiences and outcomes for people with cancer. With this knowledge, we have created tools and resources to help you deliver:

Find out more about our work

Physical activity

We want everyone living with cancer to get the support and inspiration they need to be physically active, in a way that's right for them. Nurses play a crucial role in promoting physical activity among cancer patients, acting as educators and motivators. 

Physical activity can help people living with cancer:

  • manage their symptoms
  • improve their quality of life and clinical outcomes
  • prevent treatment side effects
  • reduce the risk of recurrence
  • make healthier lifestyle choices.

You can learn more about these benefits in our physical activity guidance. We have separate physical activity guidance for patients with metastatic bone disease. 

The Centre for Perioperative care have developed patient resources to help people prepare for surgery or treatment. These highlight the importance of shared decision making when it comes to your patient’s treatment and achieving the best outcomes.

Resources on prehabilitation.

Consequences / late effects of cancer treatment

Late effects are problems caused by cancer treatment that may not show up for months or years after treatment. These problems are specific to certain types of treatments and the dose received. Late effects differ greatly from person but can have a wide range of consequences, affecting physical and mental health, social life, and financial stability. 

Resources:

Cancer related chronic pain:

Pelvic Radiation Disease (PRD):

Cardiotoxicity and cancer:

Cancer Related Cognitive Impairment (CRCI)

Endocrine Late Effects:

It's common for patients to experience late effects of the endocrine system after cancer treatment. With the right care and support, symptoms can be managed or prevented.

We've created an endocrine late effects guide to help you support patients with:

  • bone problems and osteoporosis
  • hot flushes
  • ovarian insufficiency
  • pituitary insufficiency
  • testicular insufficiency
  • thyroid problems.

Research and evidence

We're at the forefront of understanding the needs and experiences of people living with cancer. Get the evidence and insight you need to develop or deliver best practice in cancer care, delivered by our team of experts. 


Get insights now

Cancer and Domestic Abuse: a toolkit for professionals

This toolkit is designed to help healthcare professionals working with people affected by cancer. It can help you to identify and respond to signs of domestic abuse affecting patients and carers.

Domestic abuse causes long-lasting physical and mental health harm. It can impact cancer care, treatment, and recovery. Working in cancer, you have a unique window of opportunity to intervene and make a difference.


Download the toolkit


Watch a recording of the toolkit launch, where you will hear from Macmillan CEO Gemma Peters, two lived experience voices and partnership leads from Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse, the University of Bristol, and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.

For any questions or feedback on the project, please contact canceranddomesticabuse@macmillan.org.uk.

Genomics toolkit

Our Genomics Toolkit is designed to help professionals to the 'Gold Standard' of care once genomics has been embedded into practice.

Our toolkit includes the following cancer types:

Wellbeing support for health professionals

We understand it's a challenging time for healthcare professionals with increasing pressure on staff and services. That's why we're doing whatever it takes to support you with the latest information, training and resources.

You can also access our emotional health and well-being hub resources we created during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

Cancer nutrition information for different cultural diets

The ENRICH (Engaging Nutrition Resources for Inclusive Cancer Health) project explored the availability of nutritional resources (i.e. written information, videos and websites) for diverse ethnic communities from the Black, Asian and mixed ethnicity groups, affected by cancer. 

Insights were gathered from individuals with a cancer experience as well as health care professionals providing dietary advice to people with cancer in their day-to-day work. Key findings and recommendations are summarised in the report which may provide helpful guidance for health care professionals, cancer charities, Cancer Alliances, NHS Trusts, Health Boards and Integrated care boards (ICBs).

If you are looking for healthy eating advice based on cultural diets for your patients you may find these guides useful:

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For your patients

Translations and other formats

We have cancer information in different languages and formats, including audio, Braille, British Sign Language videos, easy read booklets, eBooks and large print.
Booklets

It’s quick and easy to order free booklets to give to your patients, their families and carers. Topics include cancer types, treatment, and emotional support.
For your patients
We do whatever it takes for people living with cancer, no matter what their situation. Find out about Macmillan’s support services.