Lung cancer
We see our patients with suspected lung cancer within two weeks of referral from a GP.
Lung Cancer Nursing Team
The lung cancer nurses offer a hospital-based service to patients who are suspected of having or have been diagnosed with lung cancer.
Nurses
Becky Preston, Heather Youd, Fiona Tomkins, Fiona Young, Katie Roberts, Julie Slight
We offer support and information for patients and those close to them about the investigations that may have to be undertaken. Most investigations can be done on an outpatient basis returning to clinic for the diagnosis. Some patients who know they have a suspected lung cancer prefer to have the diagnosis by telephone.
We continue to be contactable through investigations, diagnosis, through treatment to recovery or supported with symptom management and arranging input from community services.
We work closely with the respiratory, oncology and palliative care teams within the hospital and have close ties with the community services. We are supported by an MDT coordinators and two specialist support workers.
If you leave a message or send an email to us, please let us know your hospital MRN number, date of birth or National Health number, it helps us find your details on the system.
Email: ghn-tr.lungcancernurses@nhs.net
Telephone numbers:
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital: 0300 422 5967
Cheltenham General Hospital: 0300 422 2379
Preparing for your first appointment
We welcome your questions and are keen to help make appointments as useful as they can be to you.
Considering the questions you want to ask beforehand can help ensure appointments cover the most important aspects to you. You can also discuss what to ask with your loved ones.
These examples are provided to help you decide what you'd like to know. There is no pressure to ask a certain number of questions; feel free to ask as many or as few as you need.
Questions you may find helpful to ask your clinician if cancer is suspected
Diagnosis
- Where is the suspected cancer at the moment?
- What has caused this potential cancer?
- Has it spread to other parts of my body?
- What kind of cancer is suspected?
- Is it treatable?
Tests and Investigations
- What further tests do I need?
- What will the tests involve?
- What can I expect during and after the tests?
- What will they tell us?
- When should the test be done?
Your questions
Any other questions you have, you may find it useful to write these down
Preparing for your appointment with the cancer doctor
Questions you may find helpful to ask your clinician following a cancer diagnosis
Prognosis
- How bad is this cancer? What does that mean for me?
- What symptoms will the cancer cause?
- What is the aim of treatment?
- How likely is it that the cancer will spread with/ without any more treatment?
- What's the best case scenario and worse case scenario?
- Where do you see me on that spectrum?
- Is the treatment likely to improve my survival? And/ or my symptoms?
Treatment Decisions
- What choice of treatment do I have?
- What are the pros and cons of treatment options? Or of no treatment?
- What will the side effects of treatment be?
- How long will side effects last?
- How would treatment affect my lifestyle and what matters to me?
- What is your opinion about the best treatment for me?
- When would the treatment start?
- What would the schedule be?
Getting ready for treatment
- Is there anything I can do before or after my treatment that might make it more effective (e.g. diet, exercise)?
- What are the do's and don'ts whilst having treatment?
- What problems should I look out for and who do I contact if they occur?
- What is my longer term follow up plan?
- Can I get a second opinion?
Clinical Trials
- What are clinical trials?
- Are there any that might be relevant to me?
- How might they help me?
Other information/ support
- Are there any other services or organisations that can help me and my family deal with my diagnosis?
Your questions
Any other questions you have, you may find it useful to write these down
Useful links and information
Investigations
Tests for lung cancer | Cancer Research UK
Medical Imaging Centre | Cobalt Health
Different types of Lung Cancer
Types of lung cancer | Cancer Research UK
Prehab
Referral to the Prehabilitation Service (gloshospitals.nhs.uk)
Macmillan Next Steps > Glos Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust (ghc.nhs.uk)
Lung Cancer Treatment
Cancer services (gloshospitals.nhs.uk)
Surgery
Types of surgery for lung cancer | Cancer Research UK
Lung cancer | Thoracic Surgery University Hospitals Birmingham
Thoracic Surgery (uhbristol.nhs.uk)
Oncology
Chemotherapy for lung cancer | Cancer Research UK
Targeted and immunotherapy treatment for lung cancer | Cancer Research UK
Systemic anti-cancer therapies (SACT)
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy for lung cancer | Cancer Research UK
Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) For non-small cell lung cancer (gloshospitals.nhs.uk)
Radiotherapy frequently asked questions (gloshospitals.nhs.uk)
Palliative care
Specialist Palliative Care Services in Gloucestershire (gloshospitals.nhs.uk)
Your guide to hospice and end of life care | Hospice UK
Patient information
Macmillan Cancer Support | The UK's leading cancer care charity
Home - Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
Mesothelioma UK | Supporting people with this asbestos cancer
Help and Support for Those Affected By Mesothelioma and Asbestosis - HASAG
Age UK | The UK's leading charity helping every older person who needs us
Gloucestershire Patient Support
FOCUS Support and Information Centre (gloshospitals.nhs.uk)
Macmillan Cancer Support Information Hub (gloshospitals.nhs.uk)
Maggie's Cheltenham | Maggie's (maggies.org)
What's on now at Longfield's Wellbeing Centre - Longfield Community Hospice
Home - Great Oaks Hospice (great-oaks.org.uk)
Home - HLS Glos (hlsgloucestershire.co.uk) – Stop smoking service
Contact the Adult Social Care helpdesk | Gloucestershire County Council
Support our cancer services
Focus is the charitable fund for the Gloucestershire Oncology Centre, raising funds which directly provide extra care, specialist equipment and improvements to facilities for local cancer patients.