Monthly Archives: May 2023

Cancer Team Newsletter March 2023

Pathfields News

 

Pathfields Cancer Team Newsletter – March 2023

Hello and welcome to the March edition of the Cancer Care Newsletter from Pathfields Cancer Team. Please spare a few minutes to skim this email, you might find something of interest that could act as a reminder or a change in practice to help identify a Cancer. 

And why not take this opportunity to click the link and spend a minute reminding yourself of the relevant 2ww pathway, especially if it is one we don’t regularly use. 

This Month we are bringing awareness to: 

 Ovarian Cancer, Brain Tumour and Prostate Cancer

Ovarian Cancer 

Do you know that 90% of women don’t know the four main symptoms of ovarian cancer? Knowing this information could be lifesaving, as an early diagnosis can make all the difference.
Ovarian Cancer has four main symptoms:
· Persistent stomach pain
· Persistent bloating
· Difficulty eating / feeling full more quickly
· Needing to wee more frequently
 
For more information regarding Ovarian Cancer please visit
Ovarian cancer symptoms | Ovarian Cancer Action
Ovarian Gynaecology 2WW (devonformularyguidance.nhs.uk)
Reminder:  
• New diagnosis IBS/Diverticulitis + aged over 50, NICE recommends clinicians consider measuring CA125 (especially if a woman reports persistent changes in bowel habit, and/or reports persistent symptoms of abdominal distension, increased urinary frequency, and/or early satiety)

Brain Tumour Awareness:

Brain- Neurology 2WW (devonformularyguidance.nhs.uk)
Reminder:
• You can use the CNS pathway on ICE to make direct referrals for brain imaging in patients with new concerning symptoms
• Consider past history of cancer in patients presenting with new neurological symptoms and where appropriate consider urgent referral

Prostate Cancer Awareness:

Facts

• Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men.
• More than 52,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year on average – that’s 143 men every day.
• Every 45 minutes one man dies from prostate cancer – that’s more than 12,000 men every year.
• 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
• Around 475,000 men are living with and after prostate cancer.
What can you do? Have open conversations with the men in your life – direct them to the Risk Checker at Check your risk in 30 seconds | Prostate Cancer UK
Urology: Urology 2WW (devonformularyguidance.nhs.uk)
Reminders:
• When checking PSA to alsoinclude a renal function test. (Urology are triaging straight to MRI and eGFR within last 3m is required)
• The PSA test should be postponed for at least 1 month after treatment of a UTI
• Be mindful Alpha blockers and drugs such as Finasteride in some cases can reduce PSA levels by up to 50%, so you may have a lower threshold for referral in someone with changing symptoms

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. We look forward to connecting with you again in April. 

Daniel, Karen and Jay – Pathfields Cancer Care Team

Cancer Team Newsletter – April 2023

Pathfields News

Pathfields Cancer Team Newsletter – April 2023

Hello and welcome to the April edition of the Cancer Care Newsletter from Pathfields Cancer Team.
Please can we ask you to spare a few minutes to skim this email. You might find something of interest that could act as a reminder or a change in practice to help identify a Cancer.
And why not take this opportunity to click the link and spend a minute reminding yourself of the relevant 2ww pathway, especially if it is one we don’t regularly use.

This Month we are bringing awareness to: 

Bowel Cancer and Testicular

Bowel Cancer Awareness: 

Did you know?

• Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK.
• Nearly 43,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK.
• Bowel cancer screening can pick up bowel cancer early, which may mean it’s easier to treat.
• Bowel cancer is cancer that’s found anywhere in the large bowel, which includes the colon and rectum.
Reminder:  
• All patients with a positive QFIT should be referred on a 2WW
• All patients with Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) should be referred on 2WW Irrespective of QFIT (Anaemia can reduce accuracy of QFIT)
• QFIT has > 99% negative predictive value for bowel cancer, i.e if a QFIT is negative you are very unlikely to have bowel cancer (with the exception of IDA), so consider if a colorectal 2WW is the right pathway for your patient to be on
• Please try and ensure all patients do a QFIT prior to/alongside a 2WW referral if possible, this helps onwards triage processes
For more information on the value of QFIT and 2WW guidance please see: FIT result interpretation and 2ww
2WW Colorectal Lower GI Devon Formulary Guidance

Testicular Cancer Awareness:

The most common symptom of testicular cancer is a lump in a testicle. But there may also be other signs and symptoms:• swelling in a testicle – this is usually painless, but it may sometimes suddenly get bigger and become painful• a dull ache, pain or a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum.If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body, it may cause:• pain in the back or lower abdomen (tummy)• weight loss• a cough• breathlessness• feelings of being unwell• a lump in the neck.

Reminder:

• Testicular cancers tend to be non-painful and should be considered if there is a change in shape of the testis

• If a swelling is clearly separate from Testis on examination, it is unlikely to be a testicular tumour and you should consider an ultrasound first

 

Thank you once again for supporting us by taking the time to read our newsletter.

Please feel free to share your feedback and any ideas of what you might like to read about in future editions.

Karen – Cancer Support Worker

Dr Korn – Clinical Lead in Cancer Care

Cancer Team Newsletter – May 2023

Pathfields News

Pathfields Cancer Team Newsletter – May 2023

Hello and welcome to the May edition of the Cancer Care Newsletter from Pathfields Cancer Team. Please spare a few minutes to skim this email, you might find something of interest that could act as a reminder or a change in practice to help identify a Cancer. 

And why not take this opportunity to click the link and spend a minute reminding yourself of the relevant 2ww pathway, especially if it is one we don’t regularly use. 

This Month we are bringing awareness to: 

 Skin Cancer and Bladder Cancer 

Skin Cancer: 

What can I do to prevent skin cancer? 

The best protection is to cover up and be safe in the sun. Wear a hat and long sleeves. It’s important to check your skin regularly for any changes.

How can I be safe in the sun?

  • Always use 5* UVA rated sun protection 🌞 Macmillan recommend 5* UVA with at least an SPF 30.
  • Drink plenty of water 🥛💦 Cover up with a hat and long sleeves.
  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat👒to protect your face and neck.
  • Wear UV blocking sunglasses😎 to protect your eyes.
  • Don’t forget to apply sun cream to those easy to miss places – lips 👄, tops of ears 👂, back of neck, feet 👣 and scalp.
  • Limit your time in the sun and stay in the shade ⛱ between 11am and 3pm.
  • Do not let your skin go red or burn. 😡
  • Protection can rub off when it comes into contact with sand, water 🌊 towels or sweat, so you should reapply every two hours. 🕑
  • Do not use a sunbed or sunlamp. If it is important for you to look tanned, use fake tan lotions or sprays. 🌞

Skin- 2ww Referral Criteria 

Reminder:

  • Make use of the Photo-Derm clinic at Crownhill Surgery on Fridays to review a suspicious lesion where you are uncertain if it is cancer
  • If you are highly suspicious a lesion may be cancerous refer immediately via 2ww
  • Melanoma: Refer suspicious pigmented lesions with a score of 3 or more:

Major features (scoring 2 points each):

  • change in size
  • irregular shape
  • irregular colour
Minor features (scoring 1 point each):
  • largest diameter 7 mm or more
  • inflammation
  • oozing
  • change in sensation

Bladder Cancer Awareness 

Around 10,300 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer in the UK every year.
It’s the 11th most common cancer in the UK, and the 8th most common cancer in men.

Urology: 2ww Referral Criteria 

 Reminder:  

  • Refer all patients 45 and over with frank haematuria without evidence of UTI or urinary tract stone or anyone with visible haematuria that recurs after treatment of a UTI
  • Make sure you follow-up MSU’s in these patients yourself, and where negative refer.
  • Refer anyone aged over 60 with non-visible haematuria and: a) Raised white cell count or b) Dysuria not explained by UTI/stone

Thank you as always for taking the time to connect with our newsletter. If you have any questions or feedback, please do get in contact! 

Karen – Cancer Support Worker
Dr Korn – Clinical Lead in Cancer Care

Half Day Closure 11th May 2023

Pathfields News

PATHFIELDS MEDICAL GROUP WILL BE CLOSED FOR STAFF TRAINING FROM 1PM ON THURSDAY 11TH May 2023 AND WILL RE-OPEN AS NORMAL 8AM FRIDAY 12TH May 2023.

WE APOLOGISE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MIGHT CAUSE.

FOR ANY MEDICAL HELP, PLEASE CONTINUE TO DIAL OUR NUMBER WHICH WILL BE DIVERTED TO THE PRACTICE PLUS GROUP.

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