Blood Cancer Treatment Planning – Be involved
There are lots of different treatments for blood cancer. The treatment you have will depend on the type of blood cancer you have and your personal preferences. Your doctor will recommend treatment based on national guidelines produced by experts, as well as research on which treatments work best. They will look at:
- the type of blood cancer you have
- the results of any tests you’ve had
- your general health
- what treatments are available, how well they work and any risks or side effects.
You’ll be monitored throughout your treatment and it’s common for treatment plans to change. This is important to make sure you’re always getting the best treatment for you, that any side effects are managed, and that your overall health is looked after.
Get involved in your treatment
Throughout your treatment, your healthcare team should talk to you about your options. They’ll want to hear what you think, answer your questions, and explain anything you’re not sure about.
Don’t be afraid to ask your healthcare team any questions you have, however big or small they may seem. It’s a lot to take in, and it’s important that you understand what’s happening and how it might affect you.
Questions to ask
Being diagnosed with blood cancer is often overwhelming. Some people find it helps to write down questions they have before appointments. Bringing someone with you to appointments can also help – they can support you, remind you of questions and even write notes for you.
You’ll have your own ideas for questions, but here are some suggestions:
- What is my exact diagnosis?
- What treatment will I have?
- What’s the aim of the treatment?
- Will I have to stay in hospital, or can I have treatment as an outpatient?
- What does the treatment do and are there any side effects?
- What impact will the treatment have on my daily life?
- Are there any other treatment options?
- Is there a clinical trial that I could join?
- Who is my clinical nurse specialist and how can I contact them?
- Who should I contact if I’m worried about anything out of hours?
Your healthcare team
If you’re diagnosed with blood cancer, your treatment and care will come from a team of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals that specialise in blood cancer. This is called a multi-disciplinary team (MDT).
Your MDT will meet regularly to discuss how your care is going. Your doctor or nurse will update you on what’s been discussed after the MDT meetings.
The main people in your MDT will be:
- Your doctor or consultant
- Your clinical nurse specialist
- Other healthcare professionals
Making treatment decisions
If you have blood cancer, you might sometimes be asked to make decisions about your treatment. This can feel difficult, but you should be able to share this decision with your healthcare team.
Your healthcare team should talk you through your options and explain the benefits, risks and side effects of different treatments. If you want them to, they should also be able to tell you about how well the treatment might work and your recovery.
It can be helpful to tell your healthcare team about your own priorities and goals, and ask how treatment might affect these. This might include things like continuing to work, being able to look after your family, or carrying on with hobbies you enjoy.
You should have the time you need to discuss possible tests and treatments, and be able to ask as many questions as you want. If there isn't enough time for this, you should be offered another consultation.
Healthcare professionals should respect and support you in your choice of treatment, even if your views are different from theirs, and including if you decide not to have treatment.
Remember, you can reconsider your decisions at any time, and the final decision about your treatment will always be yours.
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Specialist Haematology In-Patient Ward B28
Our specialised haematology ward is B28 at Sunderland. This purpose built ward is a “medical specialities” ward where patients are treated who require dialysis and investigations for their kidney function, as well as haematology blood disorders. It is a large 40 bedded ward with a team of specialist staff managing it.
Complimentary Therapy
Sessions are available for haematology patients every Tuesday morning on B28, provided by a specialist therapist. There are also a team of dieticians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and medical social workers who assist in delivering the best possible care for each patient.
Delays to patient appointments
When patients are commenced on a planned programme of treatment, they have dates which are predicted to have subsequent treatments. Delays to treatments are common if treatments are postponed due to insufficient recovery and not medically fit to receive treatment. This is a frequent occurrence, as everybody is individual. We will always book further appointments when appropriate to safely manage your treatments.
