Our Services A - Z - Cancer Services

• About our Service

  Cancer services at the Trust are delivered through Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDTs) bringing together Consultants, Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) and a range of other specialist Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) who look after patients who have or are suspected to have cancer. The MDTs are crucial to reaching the correct treatment.

  The Trust has a dedicated cancer unit, working in partnership with other nearby centres to provide a wide range of services for the local population. We receive approximately 17,000 urgent cancer referrals every year. Cancer services are embedded throughout the whole of the organisation as patients are referred to different departments for investigation, diagnosis and treatment.

  We care for approximately 3300 new cancer patients every year, ranging from newly diagnosed patients through to patients requiring palliative care and we provide a range of diagnostic services, including Radiology investigations (scans and X rays), Endoscopy (camera tests for  bowel and upper GI cancers) and Pathology (blood tests and review of tissues to confirm or exclude cancers).

  We provide surgery for some cancers (breast, colorectal, some gynaecology, skin and kidney).

  Chemotherapy and supportive care treatments are provided by our: 

  Lilac Centre

  Ward 2A

  Satchi Suite

  Radiotherapy is not provided on site as this mode of treatment requires highly specialist facilities. Our patients can see an Oncologist at the Trust and then access radiotherapy through them at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre (either Wirral or Aintree site).  

  Cancer Research and Clinical Trials

  We have a range of clinical trials that are ongoing in the hospitals and we know these are an important option for patients. If there is a trial available for your individual situation, you may be approached by your clinical team to see if you would like to take part.  The trials team fully appreciate that when patients are referred for tests for cancer that they are anxious and we try to ensure they have all the relevant information they need. We are happy to be contacted for advice.

• Contact Details

  Burney Breast Unit - 01744 646 036 / 7

  Lilac Centre - 01744 646 166

  Cancer Research Team – 01744 646 581

  Macmillan Cancer Support - 01744 646 985 / 7000 

• Relevant websites

  Macmillan Cancer Support

  Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance

  Cancer Research UK

• Patient Leaflets

  Title - Accessing Your Patient Portal Following a Skin Cancer Diagnosis

  Description - Your follow up will include regular face to face contact with your specialist skin cancer team and access to an online patient portal called My Medical Record (MMR).

  Title - Care of your peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)

  Description - A PICC is a peripherally inserted central catheter. It is a thin flexible tube that is inserted into a vein in the upper arm.

  Title - Colorectal Unit self supported follow up

  Description - Follow-up is necessary as, in a small number of cases, bowel cancer can return. Your surveillance investigations ensure any problems that arise are picked up early.

  Title - Complementary Therapies

  Description - Complementary therapies are provided in a designated room at the Lilac Centre, St. Helens Hospital for patients who have been diagnosed with or treated for cancer at the Trust.

  Title - Diagnostic and Therapeutic Pleural Aspiration Aftercare advice

  Description - After the procedure, a small dressing will be placed over the puncture wound site. This can be removed after 24 hours.

  Title - Enhanced Rapid Discharge Home

  Description - The Enhanced Rapid Discharge from hospital to home is designed to support the wishes of patients in their last hours or days of life when their preferred place of care is home.

  Title - H.O.P.E. (How to Overcome Problems Effectively) Course

  Description - The HOPE Course is a free course, available to all patients who have completed cancer treatment. The course is a self-management course designed to help you cope emotionally, psychologically and physically after completing cancer treatment. It provides the opportunity to meet other people who have also recently completed treatment and together find new ways to move on with a new meaningful life.

  Title - Having a lung biopsy

  Description - A lung biopsy is a way of getting a sample of tissue from the lungs using a small needle. It helps us to find out what is wrong.

  Title - Hospital Specialist Palliative Care Team

  Description - This leaflet has been written to answer some of the questions that you may have about Palliative Care, and the provision of Palliative Care within our hospitals.

  Title - My Medical Record (MMR)

  Description - Have your opportunity to enhance your quality of care. Are you under the care of the St Helens Skin Cancer Team? In addition to regular face to face follow up appointments, you may also be eligible for access to an online patient portal called My Medical Record (MMR).

  Title - Neck Dissection

  Description - Your consultant has advised that you need to have surgery to remove the lymph nodes, also known as glands, from your neck in an operation called a neck dissection.

  Title - Non-Specific Symptoms - Faster Diagnostics Pathway

  Description - The Faster Diagnosis Pathways are designed to ensure patients are investigated and have cancer diagnosed or ruled out within 28 days of their referral.

  Title - Rapid Diagnostics Service

  Description - Your GP has referred you to the non specific rapid diagnostics service because you have symptoms that may need further investigation.

  Title - Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

  Description - This booklet should be read in conjunction with the Understanding Melanoma and Treatment with Surgery Information booklet.

  Title - Skin Cancer and War Pension

  Description - Men and women with skin cancer who have served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces may well qualify for a lump sum payment or regular pension if it is believed that the tumour arose as a result of sun exposure during their period of service.

  Title - Sun Protection and Vitamin D after diagnosis of Melanoma

  Description - After a diagnosis of melanoma it is advisable to reduce the amount of time that you spend in the sun and to avoid sun burn.

  Title - Suspected Brain Tumours

  Description - Following a scan an abnormality in your brain has been found, which may be a malignant brain tumour(s) (cancer). This leaflet is to help you understand: Primary and secondary brain tumours (cancer), What will happen next? Steroid medication and how this will help? What is a seizure and medication to help? Where to find support.

  Title - The Cutting Room, Hairdressing and Wig Salon Service

  Description - This booklet explains the services provided by our two professional hairdressers/wig technicians at The Cutting Room. The Cutting Room is a private, fully equipped salon, which is based at the Lilac Centre at St Helens Hospital.

  Title - The Lilac Centre/ Ward 2A

  Description - This booklet is designed to give you any relevant information about your care and treatment whilst having chemotherapy or other treatments both as a day patient on the Lilac Centre, St Helens Hospital or as an inpatient on Ward 2A, Whiston Hospital.

  Title - The Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Explained

  Description - This leaflet contains information about the multidisciplinary team who will be looking after you.

  Title - Welcome to Haematology Supported Self-management follow-up

  Description - Traditionally, patients with a haematology condition such as yours have attended clinic for a face to face review with the team to discuss blood results and any new symptoms.

  Title - Your Hospital Team

  Description - Our aim is to provide high quality personalised care, ensuring that patients are supported to make decisions that are right for them, achieved through working together with clinical teams and patients and their families...

Page last updated on 06th February 2024