Living with and beyond cancer
On this page:
This term is used to describe anyone who has had a diagnosis of cancer. This may include people who have completed their cancer treatment or are living with their cancer.
The Living with and Beyond Cancer area of the St George’s website is dedicated to providing support to help you to live well after your diagnosis.
Not all of this information will be relevant for people after their diagnosis, but we have included lots of different categories to support the practical, physical, emotional and social needs that people sometimes experience. Please see the tabs along the left to access these different resources.
The ‘Cancer Care Map’ and Macmillan’s ‘In Your Area’ are examples of online directories that aims to help people find cancer support services throughout the UK that are in your local area.
All about me: Because you are more than your cancer diagnosis
Every person who comes through the doors of St George’s hospital brings their own story, strengths, hopes and identity. Cancer is one part of people’s journey, it does not define who they are.
This page is dedicated to celebrating you, your experiences, values and what matters in your lives. We hope these resources will help to support you.
We recognise and honour every part of who you are. Understanding your identity helps us to provide care that respects your individuality and supports your wellbeing.
Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA)
To help understand your specific needs, your team will complete a holistic needs assessment with you. It is often referred to as the HNA. This is another opportunity for you to share with your team what is important for you and discuss any areas that you may need additional support. This information from Macmillan explains more about this process.
Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) | Healthcare professionals | Macmillan Cancer Support
Easy read booklet
Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA)
British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted film about HNAs
Your Background and Ethnicity
Your cultural background shapes how you see the world and make decisions about your health. You are welcome to tell us anything that helps us understand your way of navigating your care, whether it is family involvement, cultural traditions, language needs or how you would prefer your information to be shared.
We have developed this short film in collaboration with the Can you C me? team and our local communities to help explain some of the myths and misconceptions that exist about cancer and cancer treatment. We hope this helps to explain some of these common concerns.
LINK TO MYTHS FILM
Can you C me?
This is a programme designed to ensure BME individuals get equitable cancer care and support.
You can signpost your patients to a support and wellbeing coordinator
0208 680 3635
Other resources
Della on ethnicity and cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support
Your Spirituality and Beliefs
Spirituality can mean many things, whatever it looks like for you, we respect it. The Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Team at St George’s are a multi-faith, multi-denominational team who offer spiritual and religious care to patients, visitors, staff and volunteers.
The spiritual care centre is a quite space open for private prayer and reflection 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information about the team and the weekly events and services, please follow this link.
Chaplaincy & Spiritual Care – St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Faith group resources
Safeena: Muslim cancer support charity
Safeena | Muslim Cancer Support Network
Your Sexuality and Relationships
You have the right to compassionate, confidential care that recognises your identity and orientation. Cancer and its treatments can affect intimacy, confidence and connection. St George’s is a safe an inclusive space for everyone.
LGBT+ resources
OUTpatients IS THE UK’s only LGBTIQ+ cancer charity, led by LGBTIQ+ people affected by cancer. They provide peer support, information and resources and have helpful links to other organisations.
OUTpatients – LGBTIQ+ Cancer Charity
LGBTQ+ people and cancer audiobook | Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan easy read booklet: LGBT + people and cancer
Learning disabilities
If you have a learning disability or if you require easy read information, please let us know as we want to be able to adapt to meet your needs. The learning disabilities page provides more information about our services and resources and includes a link to a hospital passport, this is a helpful way of sharing information with us about you and your preferences and wishes.
If you require further information or support not available below, please contact the learning disabilities service for alternative accessible information or easy read resources.
Learning Disabilities – St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Other resources:
Macmillan easy read booklet
All about me – notes for my healthcare team – easy read | Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan easy read booklet
How to get equal healthcare easy read booklet | Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan easy read booklet
Easy read information about cancer and cancer screening from Mencap
Easy Read Information About Cancer and Cancer Screening | Mencap
Neurodiversity
We recognise that brains work in wonderfully different ways. If you are autistic, have ADHD, dyslexia or any other form of neurodivergence, we want to understand what helps you feel safe, calm and included. You might prefer step by step instructions, written information or support from someone you trust. You are welcome to share with us what comforts you, what overstimulates you and how we can adjust our care to support you.
Understanding your experiences – National surveys
Your voice matters, an important way that the NHS can understand your views and experiences is through the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey (NCPES). It is designed to help the NHS understand the real experiences of people living with cancer. The feedback is used to guide improvements in NHS cancer care across the pathway and make meaningful changes in cancer care.
The survey is sent once a year, to adults (16 years or older) treated as inpatients or day cases, all responses help shape the future of cancer care. The survey can be completed via telephone in over 20 languages and is available in large print and Braille on request. Easy read information guides are available on their website.
Tell us about your experience of cancer care – National Cancer Patient Experience Survey
Cancer Quality of Life Survey is to help the NHS to understand how people’s quality of life may have changed after a cancer diagnosis. People are invited to complete this about 18 months after their diagnosis.
Cancer Quality of Life Survey – About the Survey
SPARC – Supporting Pelvic and Abdominal Related Cancer Concerns
SPARC is a project designed with patients at St George’s which aims to provide support and guidance for people who experience concerns because of their cancer or cancer treatment that affect their pelvic and abdominal area.
For more information on topics such as bladder and bowel, pelvic floor muscles, sexual function, hormonal changes, and psychological wellbeing click here.
St George’s hospital is part of RM Partners Cancer Alliance
Further information about local resources, cancer care and the service developments for North and South West London can be accessed on their website.