Prehabilitation – helping you prepare for what’s ahead
Getting support early on can really help how you feel during and after treatment for cancer– this is called prehabilitation. This includes improving how you feel physically, mentally and emotionally to prepare for what lies ahead.
To find out more about prehabilitation visit the national website, Maggie’s website or watch the short video below.
With support from the Scottish Government, Maggie’s is offering free prehabilitation sessions at all eight of their Scottish centres to anyone living with cancer, including the Maggie’s Forth Valley centre on the grounds of Forth Valley Royal Hospital. Prehabilitation is available to all patients and families, irrespective of cancer type, stage or prognosis.
The programme includes expert psychological support, with exercise and nutrition sessions, helping people living with cancer prepare themselves emotionally and physically for cancer treatment. Those using the sessions feel they can take action to put themselves in a better place, and maintain these positive changes even during times of stress.
To find out more contact Maggie’s Forth Valley – email forthvalley@maggies.org or call 01324 86806 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Many different healthcare professionals are involved in looking after patients with cancer. Information about many of these people and services that they offer are detailed below.
Get Checked Early
If you are worried about any potential symptoms, or have noticed an unusual or persistent change in your body, the best thing to do is to contact your GP practice. It’s probably nothing to worry about but if it is cancer, the earlier it’s found, the better. When cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, treatment is often easier and more likely to be effective. For example, 9 out of 10 people survive bowel cancer when it’s diagnosed early. Today, more Scots are detecting cancer early, in fact a quarter of all breast, lung and bowel cancers in 2016 and 2017 were detected at stage one (the earliest stage).
In general, outcomes are much better these days. In fact, almost twice as many people survive cancer today compared to 20 years ago.* So, if you’re worried about any potential symptoms, your doctor wants to see you.
For more information, symptom checker and real stories, see the Get Checked Early website.
Referrals for Suspected Cancer
Patients who are concerned about symptoms which could indicate cancer should initially present to their own GP. A number of investigations can be carried out within Primary/Community Care service. Some patients may need to be referred to hospital for further investigation, and this should be co-ordinated by the GP. There are agreed referral guidelines between primary and secondary care which indicate which patients should be referred urgently.
Oncology (Cancer) Department
Oncology
Forth Valley Royal Hospital Stirling Road
Larbert
FK5 4WR
Phone: 01324 566300
The oncology department are based in the Oncology Unit Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert. The oncology team work closely with hospital consultants, and primary care. The oncology team are available Monday to Friday, 8-5pm for all enquires.
Post chemotherapy contact your own GP if you cannot wait until the following day.
Planning for The Future
Demand for radiotherapy treatment is set to increase significantly over the next ten years as more of us live longer and more cases of cancer are detected at an earlier stage.
To help meet this future demand work is underway to develop plans for a West of Scotland Satellite Radiotherapy Facility.
- Find out more at Planning for the Future
Maggie’s Centre
Maggie’s Forth Valley, in the grounds of Forth Valley Royal Hospital, provides free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends. Maggie’s Centres, run by an independent charity, complement the work of the NHS. Our specialist staff offer one-to-one advice as well as group sessions, workshops and courses aimed at helping to address the physical and psychological impact of living with cancer. No appointment is necessary.
The Centre is open Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm.
Phone: 01324 868069
Email: forthvalley@maggiescentres.org
Website: https://www.maggies.org/our-centres/maggies-forth-valley/
Support After Cancer – Macmillan One to One Project
Patients across Forth Valley who have recently undergone treatment for cancer now have access to a new service which offers follow up support and advice.
NHS Forth Valley is the first NHS Board in Scotland to pilot this new service which is funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and delivered by a team of community care nurses and healthcare support workers.
Working with patients on an individual basis means the team are able to help deal with any financial, physical or emotional issues that arise following treatment and can also signpost people to other services such as local money advice organisations, cancer charities and carers support services.
To find out more about the Macmillan One to One Project phone 01324 832921 or 07884112979 (Tuesdays and Fridays), email fv.maconesupport@nhs.scot or speak to your GP, district nurse or consultant.
Breast Cancer Care Scotland
Leading support charity Breast Cancer Care Scotland, in partnership with NHS Forth Valley, are now offering two new face-to-face support services, Moving Forward and Living with Secondary Breast Cancer and a telephone support service Someone Like Me.
These services complement existing support services and provide additional access to practical, emotional and social support to women diagnosed with breast cancer throughout Forth Valley.
You can find out more, including dates and times of local sessions in Forth Valley, on the www.breastcancercare.org.uk/services website.
The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre
The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre (BWoSCC) is the largest cancer centre in Scotland and is the lead centre for non-surgical cancer care for the West of Scotland.
Opened in 2008, the centre delivers an unprecedented level of care to thousands of patients across the West of Scotland, with links to 16 hospitals in Glasgow and other health board areas.
Located in the heart of the city’s West End on the Gartnavel Hospital Campus site, it provides a world-class service to cancer patients. The centre is staffed by some of the most skilled and dedicated healthcare professionals in the country.
The Beatson is designed to create a calm, relaxing and therapeutic environment for patients, to help improve their wellbeing and enhance their recuperation. It is one of the most innovative and modern cancer care centres in the world.
For more information on the BWoSCC, please visit the website.
Patient Information
Waiting Times
Patients with symptoms that are highly suggestive of cancer will be seen more urgently. This will be in accordance with local referral guidelines.