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
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:
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
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
