Cancer Care Reviews
We offer a Cancer Care Review to support patients who have received a cancer diagnosis. This is an opportunity to discuss what matters to you and any worries or concerns you may have. This might include side effects of treatment, medications, symptom management or emotional support. You may also wish to discuss financial support, healthy lifestyles and physical activity and returning to work.
It is a chance to understand what support and information is available nationwide and in your local area and to talk about your cancer experience.
You will be contacted by a nurse or GP following your diagnosis to let you know what support is available to you and a cancer care review will be offered between 6-12 months following your diagnosis. It can be face to face in the surgery or over the telephone, whatever suits you best. You are welcome to attend alone or bring along a friend, relative or carer if you prefer.
Drop-in sessions for cancer patients and their carers
Our Wellbeing Team run a monthly drop-in session at our Highlands Surgery usually on the last Saturday of the month. This is open to for cancer patients and their carers. These drop-in sessions provide an opportunity meet other patients and find out about local emotional and financial support. We also discuss healthy lifestyle and exercise that may help you after a cancer diagnosis.
Screening services
Breast screening
If you are a registered Meon Health Practice patient and are between the ages of 50 – 71 you will be automatically invited local hospital breast screening service for a mammogram every three years. If you are over the age of 71 or have recently missed an appointment, please call their screening office on 023 9228 3613 or 023 9228 3614, or visit their website.
If you have any breast symptoms or concerns, please contact us at the practice.
Breast Screening: Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust (porthosp.nhs.uk)
Cervical Screening (smear test)
Your first invitation for a cervical smear will be sent when you are aged 25 years. After that, you will be invited for regular checks every 3 years until you are 50 years then every 5 years until you reach the age of 65 years. We strongly recommend you do make the appointment to help ensure you do not develop cervical cancer.
Find out more information about smear tests at: Women’s Health – Meon Health Practice.
Colorectal screening (bowel cancer test)
NHS bowel cancer screening checks if you could have bowel cancer. It’s available to everyone aged 60 to 74 years. The programme is expanding to make it available to everyone aged 50 to 59 years.
However, always contact us at here at the Practice if you have symptoms of bowel cancer at any age, even if you have recently completed a NHS bowel cancer screening test kit. Do not wait to have a screening test.
The NHS bowel cancer screening kit used in England is the faecal immunochemical test kit – known as the FIT kit.
Local resources
- Cancer Matters Wessex is a dedicated website for patients in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Dorset, who need support or advice about cancer. The site provides information about the referral process, what happens if you are diagnosed with cancer and the local and national support available.
- Cancer Care Map is a useful online directory of cancer support services across the UK.
- Macmillan In Your Area is an online search tool for local Macmillan services including information and support, wellbeing services and rehabilitation groups.
National resources
The organisations below all provide reliable and evidence-based information for patients.
- NHS – Cancer
- Cancer Research UK provide a wide range of information and support around cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatments, and the latest research and evidence.
- Macmillan Cancer Support provide information on all cancer types and offer many services for patients including: telephone support line, online community, information booklets, benefits and work advice and access to financial support.
Specific cancer resources
The following charities can offer focused support for people who want to find out more about their cancer, including other people’s experiences following diagnosis: