Under the auspices of Oxford University Hospitals Trust in co-operation with Macmillan, a Radiography Late Effects Service has been established in Oxford. Here OPCSG Committee Member Dafydd Charles explains why this service is needed.
Radiotherapy is a valuable, effective treatment of both primary prostate cancer and areas into which cancer may spread (metastasise), such as tissue in the surrounding prostate bed and local lymph nodes. Such treatment aims to be curative so radiotherapy is often a key component of overall treatment for those affected by prostate cancer, which may include hormone treatment, chemotherapy and the newer immunological approaches.
Radiotherapy involves using high intensity X-rays that are designed to maximise the radiation doses on the cancerous tumour(s), either directed from outside the body from specialised equipment or from carefully controlled radioactive sources placed within. To minimise the harm to surrounding healthy tissues and organs that could occur during such treatment, care is taken to 'spare' other regions of the body as much as possible, particularly the lower bowel, the urinary organs and other critical organs and structures in the pelvis. Inevitably though, radiation doses will affect such healthy tissues and organs, leading to damage, most of which will be temporary and experienced during and immediately after treatment. Other effects will only become apparent after a few months or even years of treatment and a called radiotherapy late effects.
As cancer treatments become more effective, thankfully more people are being cured and late effects become more important. It is probably fair to say that, until recently, such late effects may not have been recognised appropriately as such in primary care, or given sufficient importance in affecting the wellbeing of cancer survivors, To provide more information about symptoms that may point to radiography late effects, an additional source of information and support is, therefore, desirable.
As the article below makes clear, adults in Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Buckinghamshire and the Milton Keynes area can now benefit from a new joint initiative by Macmillan and Oxford University Hospitals to provide a local Late Effects Service. The Service can offer appointments face-to-face or by telephone or video call and can be accessed by health care professionals, such as GPs, or directly by patients. A separate web page is being finalised to inform and guide patients who may wish to be enrolled onto the service.
One of our Committee members, Dafydd Charles, is a representative on the Late Effects Steering Committee to provide a 'patient voice' in the formulation and setting up of the service.
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