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Press release posted Wednesday 19 February 2025
A 2-time cancer survivor from St Helen’s, Liz Bates is praising The Christie hospital’s trailblazing electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROMs) service, MyChristie-MyHealth for its transformative impact on her cancer care.
The initiative, made possible by funding from The Christie Charity, is setting a new national standard for personalised cancer treatment by seamlessly connecting patients and clinicians between appointments through digital questionnaires.
MyChristie-MyHealth is an online questionnaire which patients complete in between appointments covering areas such as symptoms, physical health and quality of life. This means that as well as being able to address any issues with patients as they arise rather than having to wait for appointments, regular monitoring of symptoms at home helps the clinical team better understand patients’ health and adjust treatment appropriately, which in turn results in less frequent hospital admissions, better quality of life and improved survival.
The frequency of how often the questionnaire is completed depends upon the type of treatment and its duration. Each patient receives a text message or an email as a reminder when a questionnaire is due.
One of the many Christie patients who have benefitted from the MyChristie-MyHealth service is Liz aged 63 who has been married to Terry for 42 years and they have 2 children and 4 grandchildren. Liz was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in 2022 – her second cancer after having leukaemia back in 2006. She was treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy as well as a new targeted therapy called abemaciclib.
Liz says: “I wish I’d had something like this with my first cancer. It allowed me to really think about how I was feeling in a way I might not have without filling in the ePROMS form. Some people find it difficult to talk about side effects and this allows them to do this in their own words, and in their own time, ahead of their appointment. I think that’s invaluable.
“In my case, I had a cough that went on for a few weeks, and because my doctors spotted that I’d mentioned it on the form quite a few times, they decided to look into it. Thankfully, it was asthma and not cancer related, but it made me feel like my team at The Christie had my back. Knowing that I was being so well cared for had a hugely positive impact on both my physical and mental health.”
The Christie is the first UK cancer centre to implement ePROMs on such a large scale in routine care, with over 70,000 forms completed by more than 25,000 patients since its 2019 launch. Last year alone, more than 27,000 forms were submitted. Covering cancers like sarcoma, neuro-oncology, and anal cancer, as well as innovative treatments such as stereotactic radiosurgery (a form of radiotherapy), ePROMs empowers clinicians to track patient well-being and adjust care quickly.
Patients enrolled in the service complete their ePROMS digital questionnaires between appointments, sharing information about symptoms, side effects, mental health, and overall quality of life. Responses are tailored to their specific diagnosis and treatment plan. This early feedback gives healthcare teams a head-start in identifying potential issues, offering fast solutions, and even triggering automated advice - ranging from reassurance to urgent medical guidance.
“The introduction of ePROMs MyChristie-MyHealth has been a game-changer,” said Professor Sarah O’Dwyer, lead clinician for The Christie’s peritoneal tumour service. “It’s transformed how we monitor symptoms, enabling faster interventions, fewer hospital admissions, and genuinely personalised care.”
Indeed, patients are reaping real benefits, including faster resolution of symptoms, improved care personalisation, and the ability to raise concerns they might hesitate to mention in a face-to-face situation. Importantly, the service also streamlines consultations, reducing the need for in-person visits and cutting clinician time spent on routine reviews by up to 28%.
With its innovative approach and measurable impact, the ePROMS service was honoured with the prestigious Greater Manchester Cancer Innovation Award in 2022.
To support the work of The Christie Charity, please go to Donate today or ring 0161 446 3988.
The Christie Charity supports the work of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust providing enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds. This includes money for care and treatment, research, education, and extra patient services. Gifts from the public make a huge difference to the care and treatment that The Christie is able to provide to patients and their families.