Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust Cancer Care

24/09/2025

Breast Cancer Now are hosting their next Moving Forward Clinic in October 2025, for patients who have finished their treatment.

This short course runs over 2 half-days on consecutive weeks and covers lots of topics including:

💗 Coping with the shock of your diagnosis
💗 Treatment and side effects
💗 Worries about your cancer returning.

You can meet others going through similar experiences in a supportive, safe and confidential space.

Completing this course can help you:

💗 Find the tools to feel more empowered
💗 Feel more confident
💗 Feel in control so you can move on with your life.

The venue will be in the centre of Salisbury in the morning on:

Tuesday 7th October 2025
Tuesday 14th October 2025

To register your interest, click on the link below:

If you’ve finished your active, hospital-based treatment, our in-person course is for you. It offers supportive, open conversations in a confidential space.

22/09/2025

National eye health week takes place on the last week of September.

The aim is to highlight the importance of regular eye tests. 👀

Eye conditions don’t always affect older people. They can affect anyone at any age. Many people don’t consider eye health important especially if they think they have good eyesight.

These tests can help reveal early signs of eye cancers, brain tumours and other conditions like diabetes. This is a good way to share the importance with friends and family.

Other ways to ensure good eye health include:

🚭 Quit smoking
😎 Protect your eyes from the sun
📵 Take regular short breaks when using screens (phone, laptop etc)
🥽 Wear safety googles when doing DIY

Vision Matters have more information on their website:

Vision really matters. Sight is the sense people fear losing the most, yet many of us don't know the best way to look after our eyes. National Eye Health Week aims to change all that. Eye care charities, organisations and health professionals from across the UK have joined together across the UK in....

18/09/2025

September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness month. The thyroid is a small gland found in the front of your neck, just below your voice box.

Although thyroid cancer is not common, around 3,500 people are diagnosed each year in the UK. It can happen at any age and is more common in women.

Symptoms can include:

🟢 Difficulty swallowing
🟢 Pain in the front of the neck
🟢 A persistent hoarse voice with no obvious cause
🟢 Difficulty breathing

Macmillan Cancer Support have got more information on their website:

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/thyroid-cancer

Please visit your GP if you notice any of these symptoms.

The Cancer Support Team have put together the following leaflet of resources available to people with thyroid cancer:

15/09/2025

Orchid’s Male Cancer Awareness Week is aimed to raise awareness of pe**le, testicular and prostate cancer.

While prostate is one you may have heard of, testicular and pe**le are also male cancers. These are easier to treat if discovered early, recognise the signs and symptoms!

Prostate symptoms can include:

❌ Changes in the way you p*e (difficulty starting or straining to p*e)
❌ Needing to p*e urgently or often, or both
❌ Pain or burning when p*eing or back pain
❌ Feeling like you still need to p*e when you've finished

Testicular cancer symptoms can include:

❌ Lump or swelling in either testicle
❌ A dull or heavy ache in the sc***um or your testicle(s)
❌ One or both of your testicles getting bigger
❌ Your sc***um feeling heavy firm or hard

Pe**le cancer symptoms can include:

❌ A growth, lump or sore that does not heal within 4 weeks
❌ Bleeding from your p***s or under your fo****in
❌ A rash
❌ A smelly discharge

If you notice any of these, please arrange to see your GP and get checked. Spread the word to friends and family and keep them in the know.

The Cancer Support Team have put together the following leaflet of support resources available:

11/09/2025

💜 September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness month. The Gynae-oncology team here at Salisbury District Hospital are on hand to support our patients.

📣 Meet the team- CNS Sarah Salisbury, Navigator Kim Denton and CNS Rosie Stennings.

Sarah Salisbury- Gynae-oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist:
Hi, my name is Sarah, and I am 1 half of the Gynae-Oncology CNS team. I work alongside Rosie in supporting ladies with a Gynaecological cancer, with particular interest in those undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Kimberley Denton- Gynae-oncology Navigator:
I'm Kim and I've been part of the Gynaecology team since 2018. My role is to help organise cancer pathways, ensuring each run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. I am always happy to chat and aim to reassure and find answers to any patient queries

Rosie Stennings- Gynae-oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist:
I’ve worked in Gynaecology since qualifying many years ago. I was Gynae ward Sister & then moved to Gynaecology outpatients after the ward was closed.
I then trained as a Colposcopist, investigating & treating ladies who have had an abnormal smear. I thoroughly enjoy my 3 days each week looking after our patients with Gynaecological cancers.

If you have any symptoms of gynaecology cancers which can include:

💜 Unusual va**nal bleeding or discharge including bleeding after the menopause.
💜 Persistent bloating or feeling full more quickly or nausea.
💜 Unexplained lower back pain, pelvic or abdominal pain.
💜 A lump, persistent itch or changes to the skin on the vulval or va**na

These symptoms can be caused by many other conditions but if they are unusual to you, please visit your GP.

More information is available on The Eve Appeal website:
https://eveappeal.org.uk/information-and-advice/gynaecological-cancers/

10/09/2025

📣Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Friday evening wellbeing swim will not be continuing after Friday 19th of September. 📣

🏊 The daytime wellbeing swim on Fridays at 2pm-3pm will continue.

We apologise for this inconvenience, the pool will be close on Friday evenings therefore the sessions will need to stop.

Extra Swimming sessions at Salisbury District Hospital from 10th January 2025.

The Cancer Therapy Team are pleased to announce an extra hour available for swimming starting on Friday 10th of January 2025 from 7:30pm to 8:30pm.

This is in addition to sessions already available to patients with cancer every Friday from 2pm-3pm. These sessions are free of charge with private use of the pool and changing rooms.

You do not need to book, just turn up and enjoy a private swim to unwind and relax.

If you have any questions about this or want to know more, please contact the Cancer Therapy Team on 01722 336 262 ext. 5153 or sft@cancerprehab@nhs.net.

08/09/2025

September is Blood Cancer Awareness month. Leukaemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma are all types of blood cancer you may have heard of among others.

The most common symptoms of blood cancers include:

🩸Unexplained weight loss
🩸Unexplained bruising or bleeding
🩸Drenching night sweats
🩸Lumps or swelling
🩸Unexplained high temperature of 30c or above
🩸Rash or itchy skin

Not everyone will have the same symptoms and may look different in different skin tones.

For more information, visit:

https://bloodcancer.org.uk/understanding-blood-cancer/about-blood-cancer/blood-cancer-signs-symptoms/

Here at Salisbury District Hospital, we have a dedicated team of Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialists (pictured below) who treat and manage health concerns of patients.

Meet the team- CNS Evie Touze, CNS Julie Ramsden, CNS Gill Hutchins, Haematology & Stem Cell Quality Manager Paul Stubberfield, CNS Rachel Bateson who say:

“We truly love our role as Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialists.
It is a privilege to stand beside patients and families facing any type of blood cancer diagnosis and support them through each step.
Our role allows us to offer care, comfort, and emotional support during a very challenging time.
Every day, we are inspired by our patient’s strength and honoured to be part of their journey”.

🩵 Lovely patient feedback for the Haematology team:

“My husband’s care from both the doctor and the team has been wonderful. Huis latest telephone consultation was very helpful and informative, as usual. We can’t fault the standard of care my husband receives”.

If you have any concerns or symptoms, please visit your GP.

04/09/2025

September is Urological Cancer Awareness Month. This is to raise awareness of cancers that affect the organs in the urinary system which include:

🟠 Prostate
🟠 Bladder
🟠 Kidney
🟠 Testicular
🟠 Pe**le

Symptoms can include:

❗️ Blood in the urine or semen
❗️ Pain in lower tummy or in one side of the lower back
❗️ Needing to p*e more often especially at night
❗️ Difficulty p*eing (weak flow or straining to pass urine)
❗️ Urgent need to p*e
❗️ Feeling like your bladder is not empty after p*eing
❗️ A lump in the testicle, groin or p***s
❗️ A growth or sore or changes in the skin on the p***s
❗️ Discharge or bleeding from the p***s
❗️ Unexplained weight loss

There is more information on symptoms one of the urological cancers (bladder cancer) here:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bladder-cancer/symptoms/

The Cancer Support Team have put together the following leaflet for support resources available for people with bladder cancer:

01/09/2025

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month.
There are around 1,838 children each year. Childhood cancer is a lot less common than adult cancer.

The most common types of childhood cancer are:

🔴 Acute Leukaemias (blood cancers)
🔴 Cancers of the brain and spinal cord

Be on the lookout for signs and symptoms which can include:

⚠ Not being able to wee or blood in their wee
⚠ Tummy pain or swelling that does not go away
⚠ Unexplained seizures or changes in behaviour and mood
⚠ Unexplained vomiting
⚠ Changes in the eye or unusual reflections of the eye in photos
⚠ An unexplained rash (red or purple in colour) that does not fade under pressure of a glass.

While childhood cancer is very rare, if are worried about any symptoms, make an appointment to see your GP.

The Children & Young People’s Cancer Association have more information on their website:
https://www.cclg.org.uk/childhood-cancer-awareness-month

The Cancer Support Team have put together leaflet below to show support services available to teenagers and young adults with cancer:

28/08/2025

Following on from our Young Patient Curry Evening event last month, Salisbury District Hospital are hosting another meeting.

If you are aged 18-30 and receiving cancer treatment at Salisbury Hospital, we are meeting at The Ox Row on Sunday 7th of September at 6:30. 🍻🥂

Everyone is welcome to come along. Contact Jo at sft.cancerengagement@nhs.net for more information and to confirm you are coming.

13/08/2025

Did you know, early detection can save your life?

Spend just 5 minutes to check for any changes on your body. You know your body better than anyone.

Set monthly reminders and try the TLC approach.

✋ Touch or feel for any lumps or bumps
👀 Look for any unusual changes
✔ Check for any unusual changes

Know your body
Do this regularly
Share awareness with friends and family

Cancer Research UK have lots of information on their website for more advice:

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-symptoms/how-do-i-check-for-cancer

If there is anything you are concerned about, please contact your GP.

08/08/2025

📢The Cancer Services Team at Salisbury Hospital is proud to introduce our new YouTube channel. 📢

Here you can access useful videos such as patient stories, introductions to cancer professionals and support teams and how they can help you throughout your cancer journey.

This channel also has useful webinars such as:
Managing anxiety
Sleep
Fatigue.

You can access the channel and subscribe for future updates here:

Luke & Sarah welcome you to our Salisbury Hospital Cancer Support YouTube Channel!You can find out more here: https://www.salisbury.nhs.uk/wards-departments/...