Symptom Management

 

During and after treatment people with a cancer diagnosis may experience a range of symptoms arising from the cancer or as a reaction to the treatment. You may experience different symptoms at different times. Some symptoms may not go away after treatment has been completed (these are known as “late effects”). If you experience such symptoms, do seek help from the appropriate people. You will find more details about some of these further down this page:

  • If you are undergoing chemotherapy, contact the phone number on your Oncology Alert card immediately if your symptoms are listed on the card, or your key worker (clinical nurse specialist) at Ipswich Hospital.

  • If you are undergoing radiotherapy, contact your key worker (radiotherapy specialist) at Ipswich Hospital.

  • If you have undergone surgery, contact the key worker (clinical nurse specialist) at the hospital where the surgery was carried out.

If you experience symptoms that you feel are not related to your cancer diagnosis or treatment, please contact your GP as usual.

 

The most common symptoms that people with a cancer diagnosis can experience during and after treatment are pain, fatigue/ problems with sleeping, and anxiety. Do seek appropriate help if you experience any of these or other symptoms. It may be useful to you and your clinicians to keep a record of any symptoms. If you experience fatigue/ problems with sleeping or anxiety, please scroll down this page for information that you may find useful.

Macmillan publish a range of booklets about managing symptoms which can be downloaded by following this link, for example “Coping with fatigue (tiredness)”, “Managing cancer pain”, “Managing the symptoms of cancer”, “Side effects of cancer treatment” with several booklets on late effects for specific symptoms and types of cancer. PDF files of the booklets can be downloaded from the Macmillan website without setting up a log-in. Many of the booklets can be collected from the Cancer Wellbeing and Information Centre at Ipswich Hospital.

 

Fatigue management and help with sleeping

The video below has been produced by Katie Wright at St Elizabeth Hospice. The Hospice provides services such as symptom management, outpatient, inpatient, groups and day services. The video below provides information and guidance specific to the management of fatigue, a common symptom amongst people with a cancer diagnosis.

 
 

Macmillan Cancer Support provides information for people with a cancer diagnosis who are having difficulty sleeping:

Macmillan: What to do when you can't sleep: Insomnia and cancer

Macmillan: Trouble sleeping (insomnia)

Both of these pages refer to “Sleepio” which is a six-week clinically proven programme used to treat insomnia, available free on the NHS (requires use of an app on a smartphone). You can find out more by following this direct link to the Big Health Macmillan Cancer Support partnership.

Wellbeing Suffolk (NHS) provides a range of support for people with common mental health and emotional issues. For people who are having difficulty sleeping, a live online workshop “Improving your sleep” is available several times per month.

The Sleep Charity aims to provide access to high quality information and advice to deal with most sleep issues, and ensure everyone understands the value of a good night’s sleep. The charity operates a “National Sleep Helpline” (for more information plear refer to the charity’s website).

For additional help with sleeping and fatigue, Macmillan has made available audio files to aid relaxation at this link (you will need to create an account on the Macmillan learnzone website). These audio files are taken from the HOPE course. You may also gain help with relaxation through the Complementary Therapies provided at the Centre.

 

Help with anxiety and wellbeing

If you experience anxiety during or after treatment, there are a range of services that can be arranged at the Cancer Wellbeing and Information Centre at Ipswich Hospital. You may find it helpful to speak to people at the Centre or you will find information on these services by following the links to other pages on this website: Counselling and Therapy, Complementary Therapy, the Hope Course. You may find support from attending one of the local cancer support groups.

Wellbeing Suffolk (NHS) offer a wide variety of courses that maybe helpful to you or your family, particularly “My Cancer Diagnosis and Me”. To see the full range of courses (such as “Anxiety toolkit”) and to find more information follow this link.

As an additional resource, Macmillan has made available audio files to aid relaxation at this link. These audio files are used in the HOPE course.

 

Clinical Support: Acute Oncology Service

If you are undergoing chemotherapy you will have been given a red credit-sized Oncology Alert card with a telephone number for the Acute Oncology Service at Ipswich Hospital. If you experience any of the symptoms on the card, you should call the Acute Oncology Service immediately. This service is available 24 hours per day, every day. If there is no reply, do leave a message on the voicemail including your name and phone number so that you can be called back.

 

Clinical Support: Medicines Advice Helpline

If you have a question about your medication, the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust Medicines Information Team is here to help you.

Tel: 01473 703604 (Ipswich Hospital)

Tel: 01206 742161 (Colchester Hospital)

For further information please view this video and follow this link.

 

Clinical Support: Clinical Nurse Specialists and Specialist Radiographers

While receiving care, you will usually will have a main point of contact called a key worker. This person is usually a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) or a specialist radiographer. Your key worker may change as you go through different treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The support provided by key workers includes help to manage symptoms and managing side effects of treatment. For more information about the role of key workers, please follow this link.

 

Clinical Support: Stoma Care Nurses

Stoma Care Nurses are available to provide support and advice for anybody with a stoma such as a colostomy or ileostomy. For further information on this service from Ipswich Hospital please follow this link.

Tel: 01473 703301 (Stoma Care Nurses)

Additionally, please note that there is an East Suffolk Ostomy Support Group: information on this group is available on our Cancer Support Groups page.

 

Palliative Care Team

The Palliative Care Team is here to support anyone within the hospital who has been told their condition is no longer curable and need palliative care or end of life care.

If your care and support is to be continued in the community or at home they will refer you to the Community Palliative Care Team who will be your point of contact for any support and advice.

If you are an in-patient at the Hospital, the Palliative Care Team will liaise with your Consultant and Nurse Specialist to ensure you receive the best care and  support.

For further information, please refer to these websites:

Ipswich Hospital Palliative Care team, tel:  01473 704932

Community Palliative Care Team (St Elizabeth Hospice)

Also provided by the Community Palliative Care Team is a 24 hour advice line “OneCall”. Advice is given by experienced nurses to those who are ill, their families and those who provide care for those living in East Suffolk with a life limiting and progressive illness.

St Elizabeth Hospice One Call (24 hour advice), tel: 0800 5670111

For further information, follow this link to our page on palliative care.