Specialist surgeons
Surgical oncologists are surgeons who devote most of their time to the study and treatment of malignant tumours. They have the necessary knowledge, skills, and clinical experience to perform standard and extraordinary surgical procedures needed for people with cancer.
Surgical oncologists can also diagnose tumours accurately and tell the difference between benign and cancerous tumours. They understand radiation oncology, medical oncology, and haematology.
Clinical Nurse Specialists
In ideal circumstances, Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS):
- Give you information about the disease and side effects;
- Give you emotional support;
- Help you make decisions;
- Assess your fitness for starting and maintaining treatment;
- Are part of the multidisciplinary team looking after you;
- Organise transport, accommodation and funding of these if you need it; and
- Are always available to you and your families.
Oncology Liaison Nurses
The role of the Oncology Liaison Nurse is to meet the needs of people with cancer including:
- Psychological;
- Emotional; and
- Information
They work with you in the:
- Inpatient oncology unit;
- Oncology day unit; and
- Throughout the hospital with people who are referred to the oncology service through a consultant.
Oncology Liaison Nurses also provide support to the family and significant others, through listening, problem solving, and education. They provide outreach support to patients at home and help patients who need referral to specialist services.
Stoma therapists and nurses
The stoma therapist is responsible for helping you adjust to living with either a permanent or temporary stoma:
- A colostomy;
- Ileostomy; or
- Urostomy
Your stoma therapist or nurse will show you how to care for your stoma and the skin around it. A number of different protective pastes, membranes and powders are available. Your stoma therapist or nurse will show you how to use these, and what to do if your skin becomes damaged or sore.
The role of the stoma therapist or nurse includes:
- Pre-operative counselling;
- Immediate post-operative care and education; and
- Follow-up assessment and counselling after you are discharged from hospital.
Community Nurses
Your Community Nurse may come to your home to help with wound care and other aspects of your cancer treatment.
Psycho-oncologists
The psycho-oncology service is usually part of the psychological medicine service which aims to provide expert, compassionate care to patients with cancer who are attending the hospital. It aims to:
- Recognise psychological distress early;
- Deliver best practice in terms of interventions; and
- Promote psychological well-being.
This service is available in some of the larger hospitals during your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Interventions may be provided by Senior Clinical Nurse Specialists, Principal Clinical Psychologists, and sometimes Consultant Psychiatrists.
Where to go for complementary therapy
When you are treated in hospital for cancer you receive what we call ‘standard medical treatment’. Complementary treatments can be given along with standard treatment, but it is extremely important to make sure you have discussed the possibility with your oncologist or nurse before you plan this kind of therapy.
Many people find these therapies very helpful for coping with physical side-effects and distressing emotions. Examples include:
- Acupuncture, Aromatherapy, and Gentle massage;
- Hypnotherapy and Meditation;
- Music, art and dance therapy;
- Nutrition therapy, Reflexology, and Relaxation;
- Shiatsu, Visualisation, and Yoga.
If you are interested, speak to your oncologist first. You will very likely need a supporting letter from them to receive treatment at a support centre.
Counselling organisations
Coping with a diagnosis of cancer can be very stressful. It is normal to experience feelings such as shock, denial, fear of dying, anger, or guilt. It is important to recognise this and ask for help.
Counselling can provide you with emotional support in a professional and confidential place. If you feel that counselling is something you or a member of your family may need, speak to your oncologist or GP for a referral to a qualified counsellor.
Designated Cancer Centres and cancer support centres
Cancer treatment works best when the treatment team deals with large numbers of cases. This is why cancer care is mainly delivered in eight hospitals around Ireland. These hospitals can provide very specialised care for your type of cancer.
