"Surviving Cancer Living Life" aims to enhance the quality of life of breast and prostate cancer survivors, their families and carers. It offers free, personalised telephone support to people who have just finished their active treatment (surgery|, radiotherapy| and/or chemotherapy|) at Guy's and St Thomas' and are living with, and beyond, cancer.
Launched in May 2008, it is a pilot service being run by the Trust in partnership with Pfizer Health Solutions and supported by Guy's and St Thomas' Charity|.
What does the service provide?
The service has 3 experienced and specially trained cancer nurses (care managers). Each person who signs up for the service is allocated a dedicated care manager, who contacts them by telephone at pre-arranged times. Care managers provide advice, support and encouragement on specific aspects of care and help people understand how to use their other local NHS, social and voluntary services more effectively.
Care managers also help individuals to:
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understand their condition better
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know when and how to get help
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take positive actions to improve their health
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follow treatment regimes correctly
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adjust to their 'new normal' life
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feel confident in doing everyday activities such as returning to work
This service is provided in addition to other healthcare services. The care managers support and build on the care already provided by GPs and other healthcare professionals.
Evaluation of the pilot service
The service has so far been very well received by its users and since going live in May 2008 has enrolled over 800 breast and prostate patients.
The benefits of this service are currently being evaluated by the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing & Midwifery at King's College London and Pfizer Health Solutions.
To find out more about this pilot service, please contact Gian Gargaro. Email gian.gargaro@gstt.nhs.uk| or call 020 7188 9569.
Useful information
Surviving Cancer Living Life brochure| (PDF 481Kb)