Welcome to the Advanced Cancer Toolkit.
This ‘toolkit’ aims to provide information and support to people who are living with advanced cancer, at any stage from diagnosis on. It may also be helpful for family members, friends and carers.
The content has been developed by specialist healthcare professionals together with people who have personal experience of living with advanced cancer. Each topic is presented by professionals with expertise in that particular area, from both oncology and palliative care. We hope to help you feel more confident in managing your health, wellbeing, and day‑to‑day life. You can dip in and out of the toolkit whenever it feels right for you.
The focus of this resource is quality of life – supporting you to live as well as possible. Within the toolkit, you’ll find information on a range of areas that influence your wellbeing including:
- Physical wellbeing/ Cancer Related Fatigue and Eating well to keep well
- Emotional wellbeing
- Hope and spirituality
- Practical support : Information and advice on financial support and asking the questions that matter to me
- Planning ahead
- Palliative care
- Local services
Each section includes a video and a short introduction to to help you understand what it will cover. Some topics include several videos- feel free to choose the ones that best meet your needs at this time.
The toolkit does not contain information about specific cancer types or treatments. For more specifc information the Macmillan cancer information and support services within each trust are available to help.
What do we mean by ‘palliative’ in this toolkit? Is this toolkit for you?
When we use the word palliative in this toolkit, we simply mean a condition that cannot be cured. Many people live with a palliative condition for months or years, and may continue to receive treatment aimed at controlling the cancer, easing symptoms or maintaining quality of life. Palliative care is not just for the very end of life. These services can offer support at any stage of an advanced illness. Their purpose is to help you manage symptoms, maintain comfort, and live as well as possible—physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
If you are living with a condition that is not curable, or if you want help to manage the impact of your illness, then this toolkit is for you.
This toolkit is a new way for us to share information with you. We would appreciate your feedback as we continue to develop this resource. You can give your feedback by email to Nican.Office@hscni.net