What support will I get?
First year support pathway
We are a team of clinical nurse specialists (CNS) who will support you, your family and friends following a diagnosis of metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer. Below is the support pathway you should expect to receive during the first year following your diagnosis. We encourage you to attend your appointment at the nurse-led clinic, as this can help you access further support if you need it.
By the end of the first year, we hope that you will feel confident contacting us whenever you need support.
Nurse-led clinic
This is an appointment with a CNS. You should expect to see the nurse about 4 to 6 weeks after your first medical appointment at The Christie. If for some reason you do not receive your appointment please phone 0161 446 3996 and this will be arranged for you.
Telephone follow-up clinic
You will receive an appointment for a telephone conversation or call with a CNS about 4 months after your nurse led-clinic appointment. If you need additional support prior to the telephone follow up appointment, the nurse will discuss arranging this with you.
Health and wellbeing day
You will be invited to this event 6 to 12 months after your first clinic appointment at The Christie. This day is designed to help you live well with metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer.
The days are run twice a year and previous patients, relatives and friends who have attended, rate the days very positively. The day gives you the opportunity to listen to expert speakers such as a medical consultant, senior research dietitian, metastatic breast CNS and supportive care CNS. There are also breakout sessions in the afternoon which provide further additional support.
If you haven’t received an invitation for this event after 12 months, please call us on 0161 446 3996.
This is an outline of the minimum support you should expect to receive from the service.
Contacts
We are always here for you. In between these appointments, please feel free to contact us at any point. Please always leave a message and one of the nurses will get back to you as soon as possible (please note it is not always possible to return all calls the same day due to clinical commitments).
The Macmillan secondary or locally advanced breast clinical nurse specialists contact details
Telephone number: 0161 446 3996
Team email: the-christie.sbcn@nhs.net
Further information
Breast Cancer Now
Provides information and support to both patients and families.
To speak to a nurse call Freephone: 0808 800 6000
Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
Saturday 9am to 1pm
Macmillan Cancer Support
Provides information on all aspects of cancer
Freephone: 0808 808 0000
Living with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer
Meet others in a similar situation and hear from expert speakers.
To find a support service near you, call 0345 077 1893 or email secondaryservices@breastcancernow.org
The cancer information centre at The Christie
The cancer information centres provide information and support on all aspects of cancer through a drop-in service face-to-face, over the phone or by email.
The Christie main site (Withington) phone: 0161 446 8439
The Christie at Oldham phone: 0161 918 7745
The Christie at Salford phone: 0161 918 7804
The Christie at Macclesfield phone: 0161 956 1700