Supporting patients following pelvic radiotherapy for endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer is the commonest gynaecological cancer in the UK. Affected women often live with long-term complex and debilitating side-effects of radiotherapy treatment, such as bowel toxicity, fatigue and psychosexual problems. Women also experience negative feelings around self-image and sexuality, which contribute to a decline in their quality of life. A review of the literature and national policy showed that women had unmet needs after completing radiotherapy treatment for endometrial cancers, and that cancer nurse specialists are in a prime position to deliver a holistic package of personalized care. Staff at a nurse-led gynaecology oncology clinic performed an audit that found the clinic was not meeting the longer-term needs of most women after radiotherapy for endometrial cancers, and that women were attending multiple appointments to access different services. The clinical nurse specialist reviewed local and national policy, carried out situational analysis and engaged with service users to identify where change was needed and to examine whether a new model of service provision, where patients could consult different professionals at one appointment, would help the move forward in life after treatment.