Cancer Services

Welcome to Cancer Services

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides comprehensive services for patients with common cancers. Patients with cancer are usually referred to a multidisciplinary team (MDT) for diagnosis and treatment. The aim of the team is to provide the highest quality care to all patients.

Specialists at Bradford Teaching Hospitals treat cancers such as breast, lung, colorectal (bowel), upper gastrointestinal (digestive system), gynaecology (female reproductive organs), urology, and cancer of the unknown primary.

Patients with rarer cancers are often seen at St James’s University Hospital, Leeds.

Treatment is provided by a multidisciplinary team which includes doctors, nurses, dietitians and psychologists. Radiotherapy treatments are provided by visiting doctors from St James’s University Hospital in Leeds.

Advice, support, and information is provided to families, carers and other healthcare professionals.

24-hour telephone line

A 24-hour telephone line is available for patients who are feeling unwell following treatment and require advice or support. Please call us on 07970 343305 as soon as possible if you need to speak with us.

Advice on coronavirus for patients with cancer

NHS is here for you and your family graphic

We understand that people with cancer and their families might feel especially worried about coronavirus. Cancer treatment can weaken immune systems and people with cancer are among those at higher risk of complications, as some treatments can lower the body’s ability to fight infection.

The GOV.UK and NHS websites feature the latest information on what to do to reduce the risk of catching coronavirus. It is important to visit the sites regularly, as the information they hold is constantly evolving.

If you have any concerns during and after receiving chemotherapy treatment, please contact the Acute Oncology team on  07970 343305. If you are undergoing other treatment for cancer you should keep in contact with the specialty health professionals who are caring for you.

Cancer services

BRI foyer

The Chemotherapy Service at Bradford Royal Infirmary treats more than 100 patients per week. The service includes all the preparations required for chemotherapy and other drugs used to treat cancer. 

The day case unit is based at Eccleshill Community Hospital, 450 Harrogate Road, Bradford.

Inpatient care is provided for patients with complications or side-effects from treatment or cancers, supported by an acute oncology nursing team.

The inpatient unit is located on Ward 24 at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Outpatient care is provided by specialty teams, with input from specialist nurses and dietitians as required. Outpatient clinics mainly take place at Outpatients West, BRI.

Visiting our hospitals

Please note that visiting arrangements were altered due to coronavirus. We set up a new telephone information line for relatives concerned about inpatients. Please call 01274 272747 to see if the clinical area concerned provides this service.

Prehabilitation

Prehabilitation (prehab) enables people with cancer to prepare for treatment by promoting healthy behaviours in order to help them cope better with treatment and improve their long-term outcomes.

Think of it like rehabilitation that takes place before the event, rather than after.

At Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, we will support patients to engage in exercise, healthy eating and have improved emotional well-being. This should lead to reduced time spent in hospital and reduced need for readmission to hospital.

For more information on prehabilitation at Bradford Teaching Hospitals, please see the short film below and our dedicated prehabilitation page and resources.

Treatment

Your treatment depends on the type of cancer, its location, size, whether it has spread and your general health. You may have different types of treatment so understanding your treatment and possible side effects is important.

There are many forms of treatment for cancer. Below are some of the more common treatments:

  • Chemotherapy – an anti-cancer drug
  • Radiotherapy – uses a type of radiation to treat cancer cells
  • Surgery – one of the main forms of treatment for cancer

Meet our multi-disciplinary team members

You are likely to come across a number of people over the course of your time at Bradford Teaching Hospitals who will be responsible for providing you with dedicated treatment, care and support. Depending on the type of cancer and the treatment required, they could include:

Cancer care co-ordinator/pathway navigator

An individual who works closely with your care team and can provide information and education, identify concerns and refer you and your families to other available resources.

Clinical nurse specialist

A specialist cancer nurse who can help you to understand treatment options and support you through your cancer experience. They are likely to be your main contact at the hospital.

Consultant

An expert doctor also referred to as a specialist. They may be a surgeon or an oncologist (cancer specialist).

Dietitian

Can help you with diet and nutrition.

Occupational therapist

Will support you with everyday tasks and help you maintain independence.

Pathologist

A specialist who studies cells and will analyse biopsies or blood tests.

Physiotherapist

Available to help you with mobility and physical activity.

Psychologist or counsellor

Someone you can talk to about your feelings and worries.

Radiologist

A specialist trained to look at scans, including CT, MRI and x-rays.

Radiology

Specialty lead cancer clinicians at Bradford Teaching Hospitals

 Name Special interest
Mr Rohit Chahal Urology
Dr Leanne Cheyne Lung
Mr Manhal Najdy Gynaecology
Mr David Watt Head and Neck
 Name Special interest
Mr Shariff Al-Ghazal Skin
Dr Catherine Tait Breast
Dr Anshu Garg Haematology (blood)
 Name Special interest
Mr Paul Manby Upper Gastrointestinal
Miss Maude Colorectal
Dr Sam Khan Vague Symptoms
Dr Andrew Conn Medical Oncology

Further information by cancer site

PENNINE BREAST SCREENING

Please see the links below and opposite for more information on individual specialties and the services our nurse specialists can offer.

Breast screening and surgery

Skin Cancer Service

Skin (Dermatology)

Gynaecology

Haematology

Head and Neck

Lung (Respiratory)

Upper/Lower Gastrointestinal (including bowel)

Urology/Prostate

Cancer support services

Cancer Support Yorkshire logo
Macmillan Cancer Support logo
Maggie's logo

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, you may require support, assistance and guidance. At Bradford, support is available whenever you need it – your specialist nurse will be able to tell you what’s available. Three of the main support organisations are highlighted here. Click on the images for more information.

Information leaflets and national surveys

The website below features a number of short films which can help explain what cancer is and provide an overview of cancer treatments.

Surveys

Useful links

Cancer signs and symptoms

Services for children and young people dealing with a family member with a life-threatening illness, and pre- or post-bereavement

Anna Freud Centre for Children and Families

National Centre providing mental health support for children and families – can offer support for traumatic bereavement.

Crisis text messenger service: Text AFC to 85258. The AFC Crisis Messenger text service is a free, confidential, 24/7 text message support service for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or is struggling to cope. The service is staffed by trained volunteers who will work with you to take your next steps towards feeling better. The service supports issues such as anxiety, worry, panic attacks, bullying and depression.

Web: https://www.annafreud.org/

Referral: Online referral form / +44(0)20 7794 2313 / referrals@annafreud.org

Barnardo's

Support and services to young people aged 5-18 who have a substantial caring role which impacts on their educational, emotional, physical and/or social development. Support is offered through the following opportunities:

  • organise outings and activities for young carers
  • give young carers advice and emotional support through counselling sessions
  • help the family get support from social services
  • talk to a young carer’s school, so teachers understand their situation and can be supportive
  • run drop-in centres where young carers can take a break, have fun, be a child – and meet other young carers

Web: https://www.barnardos.org.uk/what-we-do/helping-families/young-carers

Bradford Bereavement Support

Counselling service available from 16+

Web: https://www.bradfordbereavement.org.uk/

Tel: 01274 619522

Bradford Counselling Services

Counselling services for people aged 13+, up to 12 sessions

Web: https://bradfordcounsellingservices.org.uk/

Email: info@bradfordcounsellingservices.org.uk

Tel: 01274 733 080

Carers' Resource Young Carers Service

Carers’ Resource delivers services for young carers across the Bradford district.

Young carers are under the age of 18 and have a parent or sibling with a physical or mental illness, a disability, or an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Young carers can have lots of different responsibilities such as chores, looking after younger siblings, providing personal care and giving emotional support.

This service offers:

  • 1-to-1 support around caring issues
  • Regular age-appropriate youth groups
  • Regular trips allowing young carers to have a break

Web: http://www.youngcarersresource.org

Tel:  01274 449660

Email: byc@carersresource.org

Child Bereavement UK

Offer support to children and families pre- and post- bereavement

Web: https://www.childbereavementuk.org/

Helpline (Bereavement support line for families and professionals): 0800 02 888 40

Live Chat via website: helpline@childbereavementuk.org

Cruse Bereavement

Predominantly bereavement work, however occasional pre-bereavement work.

Children are seen weekly or fortnightly for 6 sessions in school by volunteers trained in the Cruse bereavement model (these are not mental health professionals but have had training on working with children and will have a DBS check).

Web: https://www.cruse.org.uk/

Helpline: 0808 808 1677

Craven and Bradford Area: 01756 797799

Referral: Parent or guardian makes the referral by calling the referrals line on 01756 797799 or by emailing support.craven.org.uk and providing their telephone number.

Family Action – Children’s Trauma Therapy Service

Support children aged 5-17 within the Bradford and Keighley district who have experienced a traumatic or complicated bereavement, for example when a severely ill close family member has passed away and they are presenting with trauma symptoms as a result of this loss.

The family is assessed and then a decision made about whether direct therapy to the family would be helpful, and/or specialist consultation to the professional system supporting the child.

The team are able to offer individual therapy to the child, parent-child therapy, therapeutic parenting work with parents, family therapy, or specialist consultation to professionals working with the family/child.

Web: https://www.family-action.org.uk/what-we-do/children-families/bradford/

Referral: 01274 651652 and ask for a member of the Children’s Trauma Therapy Service or send an email to CTTS@family-action.org.uk

Hope Again (Youth Website of Cruse Bereavement Support)

If you are a young person and someone you know has died, why not send a private email to hopeagain@cruse.org.uk to one of our trained volunteers.

Also provide support to adults looking for advice about how to support a child or young person with bereavement.

Web: https://www.hopeagain.org.uk/

Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk

Helpline: FREE phone helpline on 0808 808 1677 Monday-Friday, 9:30am – 5:00pm

Hope Support Services

Offer online support young people ages 5-25 when a family member is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.

Web: https://hopesupport.org.uk/

Facebook Group: WeAreHope page is an opportunity for young people ages 13-25 to talk to other people their age who might be going through similar experiences. This is a closely-monitored private group so all requests are checked before access is granted. All posts to the group must be firstly approved by admin, and can be edited or deleted accordingly.

Referral: Online form https://hopesupport.org.uk/support/refer/ or 01989 566317

Step2

Free counselling service- usually up to 12 sessions.

Can work with children (usually 11-15) who have a seriously ill relative or have experienced bereavement.

They also offer family work, where a trained therapist will join the counsellor and the family to help them to work through difficulties.

Web: http://www.step2.org.uk/

Referral: 01274 720185 / 07985 127097 / Info@step2.org.uk

Winston’s Wish

The Family Bereavement Support Service can offer ongoing telephone support (up to 6 sessions for 6 months) for parents/carers who are supporting a child bereaved of a parent or sibling. Also offer more informal, one off telephone conversations.

Unable to offer direct work for pre-bereavement. However they do offer digital services for children through a digital video platform. This is not counselling, but work that enables them to make sense of what has happened, express their feelings, memory work and find ways to manage their grief for the future.

They can also offer advice, information and resources where a child is bereaved or if someone is seriously ill.

Can send out bereavement books- professionals or the family can request this.

Web: https://www.winstonswish.org/

Online Chat https://www.winstonswish.org/online-chat This online chat is available every Tuesday from 1-5pm and every Friday from 9.30am-1pm. It is for children, young people, and the people who care for them, to seek advice and support from a trained individual.

Referral: 0800 8020021

Living with and beyond cancer

Breast Cancer

Prostate Cancer

Health and Wellbeing

Penile Rehabilitation

Patient Power

Colorectal Cancer

Surgical treatment for prostate cancer – Robotically Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy (RALP)

Cancer treatment patient pathway for the oesophagus and stomach