A clinic to treat former cancer patients left with side effects from radiotherapy has secured funding for the future.
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LTHTR) has agreed to take over the running costs at the Late Effects Pelvic Radiation Disease Clinic at Rosemere Cancer Centre.
The clinic opened in 2021, with funding from Rosemere Cancer Foundation, since then it has treated close to 100 patients who have all praised the service.
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Side effects from radiotherapy include rectal bleeding, abdominal bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. Patients typically attend three to six appointments per week at the service, where they are given self-help management advice and are prescribed medication.
Data was collected to support the continuation of the clinic, with patient testimonies describing the clinic as “game-changing”.
A retired teacher, who was treated with radiotherapy for cervical cancer in 1989 said: “There was no help given with the debilitating side-effects of radiotherapy, including bowel and bladder problems, which greatly affected my teaching career, until 34 years later after a gynaecology appointment when I was referred to the late effects service.
“I cannot praise those who run this service enough. Following a trial with different medication, my symptoms are much improved and I feel more confident leaving home knowing I am not going to spend considerable amounts of time looking for toilets.
“I will be 70 this year and look forward to my life ahead with a new optimism.”
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Rachel Rigby, an advanced specialist practitioner in the late effects of Pelvic Radiation Disease manages the clinic.
She said: “We have demonstrated a need for a late effects PRD service and how accessing it has been life-changing for patients, most of which have had to manage chronic symptoms for many years.
“If you or someone you know has been left with life-impacting side-effects following pelvic radiotherapy, it’s never too late to ask for a clinic referral.”
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Dan Hill, head of charities for LTHTR but who was Rosemere Cancer Foundation’s chief officer when the clinic first opened, said: “The clinic team has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of and provide treatment for PRD, a condition that causes much suffering but is often hidden by patients themselves, who are just grateful to have been cured of their cancer.
“The clinic is pioneering. By acknowledging PRD as a very real issue, we are confident patient referrals will continue to grow as word spreads. We wish everyone connected with the clinic the very best for the future.”
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