All patients that are referred to Airedale Hospital on a suspected cancer pathway will have an initial telephone triage within 2 days of the referral.  This is a comprehensive assessment carried out by an experienced clinical nurse specialist (CNS) in urology cancer.  This allows the CNS to discuss the pathway with the patient, explaining and requesting the necessary investigations.

The diagnostic investigations we offer are:

• Computed Tomography (CT) Urogram
• Ultrasound Scan (USS)
• Flexible cystoscopy
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the prostate

We offer straight to test investigations at the point of triage unless there is a reason identified for not doing them. This may mean patients are seen in a clinic setting first.

We run a fast-track prostate assessment clinic where patients can be seen by a specialist nurse and a consultant urologist. During theses clinics men will have their lower urinary tract symptoms checked using flowmetry, ultrasound bladder scan and prostate examination.

At Airedale we are proud to be one of the first centres in the region to offer trans perineal prostate biopsy. This is a much safer way to obtain a tissue sample from the prostate with less risk of infection. It is performed in the radiology department under local anaesthetic.

The urology cancer team at Airedale offer a multidisciplinary approach when diagnosing a cancer. This means we involve larger cancer centres such as Leeds and Bradford during discussions regarding patients’ treatment and care. This can involve patients being referred to these centres for further specialist treatment.

Following cancer treatment, the CNS team offer stratified follow up clinics. This may include regular blood tests, CT scans and holistic care planning. At Airedale we have a dedicated men’s health clinic run by a specialist nurse. This gives men the opportunity to discuss and get personalised treatment for erectile dysfunction caused by cancer treatments. We also offer pelvic physiotherapy for patients having had cancer treatments such as prostate surgery.

After a cancer diagnosis patients will have lots of questions regarding treatments, side effects and can discuss the financial and emotional strain cancer has. The urology cancer team have a dedicated clinic where patients are offered some protected time to be able to discuss concerns. This is called a holistic needs assessment clinic. You can speak with a trained cancer care co-ordinator who can refer to other professional organisations such as Macmillan and cancer support Yorkshire.

Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS)

All the members of the urology clinical nurse specialist team have expertise and experience in assisting with patients and carers concerns including:

• information about the disease illness, investigations, treatments and follow up
• advice about any symptoms arising as a result of the cancer treatment
• support for patients, relatives and carers
• referral to the community nursing teams, such as the District Nurses
• referral to other professionals who can offer specialist advice such as benefits, social services or complimentary therapies. e.g. Cancer Support Yorkshire
• Your CNS is likely to be your main contact at the hospital

Our urology clinical nurse specialists are:

Helen Akhtar – Lead urology CNS

Helen Baker – urology CNS

Bethany Farrar – urology CNS

Bincy Biju – urology CNS

Cancer Care Coordinator

The Cancer Care Coordinator (CCC) works as part of the cancer care team alongside registered practitioners to help improve care for people with cancer, helping patients to self-manage and lead as healthy lives as possible. The CCC is not a qualified clinician but is trained and experienced in supporting people with a cancer diagnosis.

CCC’s can offer practical and emotional support, sign posting, and information about lifestyle changes, such as diet, physical activity, benefits referrals, and local support available.

Our Cancer Care Coordinator is: Rachel Beattie

The Airedale Urology service has 5 consultant Urologists with the support of a team of highly skilled staff. This includes Specialist nurses, cancer care Co-Ordinator, medical oncologists, and radiologists with special interests in Urology cancer and a range of administrative staff.

The urology clinical nurse specialist team are happy for you to contact them to discuss anything you feel is important to you and will treat anything you discuss as confidential.

The urology clinical nurse specialist team provide a link and point of contact for you and your family and is your designated key worker.

Tel: 01535 292252

Email: anhsft.urologypatients@nhs.net

Monday-Friday between the hours of 07.30 & 17.00

The West Yorkshire & Harrogate Cancer Alliance have made a series of videos that offers a clear, compassionate and practical guide to hormone treatment (also called androgen deprivation therapy / ADT) for prostate cancer patients. Whether you’re preparing for your first dose or already undergoing treatment, these step-by-step videos walk you through what to expect, from appointments and side effects, to follow-up checks and support options.

These videos have been produced with input from clinicians and patient voices, the series is designed to help you feel better informed, more confident and less alone on your treatment journey. We encourage you to watch these videos, pausing or revisiting them as needed to suit your pace and questions.

If anything is unclear, or you’d like to discuss what you see with your care team, please feel free to ask, they’re there to help you make the best decisions for your individual care.

You can view the films by clicking on the link here

For more information on Lynch Syndrome, please follow the link below that will take you to our Lynch Syndrome patient support page. This patient support page will help you to:

• Understand what Lynch Syndrome is
• How to get tested for Lynch Syndrome
• Understand the genetics counselling service

Lynch Syndrome patient support – Airedale NHS Foundation Trust

What is Lynch Syndrome?

Lynch syndrome is a condition that increases the risk of many kinds of cancer. This is a condition that can run in families. It used to be called hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC).

Families that have Lynch syndrome have more instances of cancer than expected. This might include colon cancer, endometrial cancer and other types of cancer. Lynch syndrome also causes cancers to happen at an earlier age.

People affected by Lynch Syndrome have a higher risk of developing:

• colon cancer
• rectal cancer
• womb (endometrial cancer)
• ovarian cancer

And they have a slightly higher risk of developing:

• stomach cancer
• pancreatic cancer
• small bowel cancer
• ureter and renal pelvis cancer

Lynch Syndrome UK is a UK charity that offers additional support and information for all people with Lynch Syndrome. Some of the support they provide includes:

• an online support group for people that is patient lead, offering advice, support and experience
• up to date advice on the website that can be downloaded and printed
• people can be sent “the beginners guide to Lynch Syndrome” as well as request a patient passport
• a new digital app has recently been launch with Professor Julian Barwell – access to this new app can be requested through the website
• a patient conference every year in March which gives people and their families an opportunity to ask questions of the clinicians in the room about their genetic disorder. This conference is alway’s well attended and clinicians are also welcome to come along. Please find more information on the conference here

Understanding early (localised) prostate cancer

Understanding advanced (metastatic) prostate cancer

Ureteric cancer

Advanced bladder cancer & your treatment choices

High risk Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer & your treatment choices

Low risk & intermediate-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer & your treatment choices

Surviving bladder cancer & living every moment

Flexible cystoscopy

What is a TURBT? (Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumour)

Low dose-rate brachytherapy treatment for prostate cancer

Life with a urostomy (urinary stoma)

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)

Management of a long term catheter (urethral catheter)

Self-catheterisation in men

Removal of the testicle

Radiotherapy to the bladder

Radiotherapy for prostate cancer