Treatment and Care
There are a number of treatments that are part of the overall management of cancer and patient pathway.
The priorities for the Northern Cancer Alliance is ensure the region has the capacity to deliver equitable access to modern cancer treatments and models of care across the region using service evaluations by patients and carers to make improvements. The aim is to reducing variation and improving outcomes for all our population.
Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT)
SACT is a cancer treatment where medication is used to kill cancer cells. There are many different types of chemotherapy medication, but they all work in a similar way. They stop cancer cells reproducing, which prevents them from growing and spreading in the body.
Genomic Medicine
The National Human Genome Research Institute defines genomic medicine as “an emerging medical discipline that involves using genomic information about an individual as part of their clinical care (e.g. for diagnostic or therapeutic decision-making) and the health outcomes and policy implications of that clinical use.”
NHS England and Genomics England are leading on the implementation of a new national service to provide a mainstream genomic testing service for cancer patients. The NCA is working with the regions Genomic Medicine Service Alliance to ensure the relevant alliance stakeholders are engaged and informed of forthcoming changes.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy uses the bodies own immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells. It is a new way of treating cancer with research growing at a fast pace. There are different types of immunotherapy available and these can be used along side other types of cancer treatments.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is the safe use of controlled doses of ionising radiation to treat people who have cancer. The aim of radiotherapy is to deliver as high a dose of radiation as both possible and necessary to destroy the cancerous tumour(s), whilst sparing the surrounding normal tissues.
Radiotherapy networks have been established to facilitate meaningful partnership working between radiotherapy centres to achieve the aims of NHS England’s ambition to provide modern radiotherapy services to patients in England.
By working together with our network colleagues, we can identify innovative solutions to some of the challenges we are facing in radiotherapy, particularly in relation to workforce.
We can share best practice and learn from each other to substantially improve outcomes for patients, including higher cure rates and fewer side effects from treatment.
Please visit the Northern Radiotherapy Network website to find out more.