How the upper gastrointestinal (Upper GI) service supports cancer patients
Tumours of the oesophagus and stomach are the sixth most common cancers globally. More than 15,000 people are diagnosed with it each year in UK, many patients already have advanced stage at discovery.
The upper GI service is provided by a team of nurses. They have specialist knowledge and skills in the care and support of patients with upper GI cancer. Alongside expert clinical care, the upper GI team is internationally recognised for its research and clinical trials programme.
Every year, around 800 patients are referred to The Christie for treatment. Patients are cared for by a highly experienced multidisciplinary team including specialist nurses, oncologists, surgeons and researchers who work together to deliver personalised treatment and support throughout every stage of care.
Thanks to generous Christie Charity supporters, breakthroughs in the lab are already helping shape future treatments of upper GI cancer patients. These breakthroughs include:
You can help upper GI patients by donating to support research into upper GI cancers. Please fill in the form below to give today.
It’s fantastic that The Christie provides the optimal environment to lead groundbreaking research into new treatments and tests to improve upper gastrointestinal cancer patients’ lives.
Dr Sara Valpione, Consultant Oncologist
The service provides:
specialist nursing assessment and advice about problems patients may be experiencing due to their disease or the treatment
comprehensive information about patients’ type of cancer, treatment options, side effects and follow up care
time for patients to talk through information and discuss any concerns
support for patients and their family or carers
a point of contact when patients have questions or concerns between hospital visits.
Researchers at The Christie are working to help people live longer, even cure them completely, by developing personalised, effective, and safe treatments for people with tumours of the oesophagus and stomach. The upper GI team at The Christie work to support research and to help clinician scientists and clinicians to deliver the best possible treatment and care at all stages of patients’ treatment, and beyond.