Follow up appointments and advice on recurrence of gynaecological cancer
This page gives you information about the process of gynaecological follow-up appointments.
How you may feel
You may feel a range of emotions after your treatment for cancer. These could include feeling very good or very low; this is normal. Your diagnosis and treatment may have been frightening, difficult and stressful at times. You may need time and support to return to a more normal way of life.
Your clinic appointment
On completion of your treatment, you may receive regular clinic appointments but these will reduce in frequency as time goes by. However, regular appointments are not always necessary. The clinics are normally held at the hospital where you received your treatment, although Worcester patients who received treatment in Cheltenham will, where possible, be seen at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and Gloucester patients at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
If you have any concerns or questions, please contact one of the specialist nurses. The contact number for the cancer specialist nurses is at the end of this page.
At your follow up appointments, you will be asked if you have any concerns. You may also be examined and blood tests taken or scans requested.
Sometimes clinics may be running late. We apologise for this, but it is important that each person is given as much time as they need with the doctor or nurse.
After your final follow up appointment
After you have attended your final follow up appointment you may feel different emotions. These feelings could include being happy to have completed your treatment or concerned that the cancer could return. This is normal, but please remember that many people remain free of cancer. The doctor or specialist nurse will remind you about what signs and symptoms could indicate the return of the cancer.
Possible symptoms
If you have any of the following signs and symptoms for more than 2 to 3 weeks you should discuss these with your GP or call the specialist nursing team.
- A constant pain (for example in your abdomen, pelvis or back) that does not go away with your usual pain relief.
- A new unexplained pain.
- Feeling or being sick, having diarrhoea, constipation or loss of appetite.
- New lumps, bumps or swellings.
- Unexplained weight loss or weight gain.
- Unusual rashes, bruises or bleeding that could be related to your gynecological cancer or previous treatment.
- Any vaginal bleeding or discharge.
It is important to remember that having any of these symptoms does not always mean that your cancer has returned. It may be helpful to make a note of when the symptoms start and how long they last.
Support and information services
Gynaecology Cancer Support worker
We have a Macmillan Gynaecological cancer support worker who will assess and support your needs.
Tel: 07812 709 881
Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 15:00pm
Macmillan Hub
The hub is situated in the atrium at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. This service provides information, support and benefits advice.
Centre Manger: Johanna Coulson
Tel: 0300 422 8880
Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 4:00pm
Email: ghn-tr.macmillanhub@nhs.net
The FOCUS Cancer Information and Support Centre
Based at Cheltenham General Hospital in the Oncology Centre.
Tel: 0300 422 4414
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
Charlie’s Support and Therapy Centre
The centre is situated in Venture Business Centre, Gloucester and offers friendship, support, holistic therapies, activities and events to help you live well with cancer.
Charlies Founder: Joanne Sutherland
Tel: 01452 939 000
Opening times: Monday to Friday, see timetable on website.
Email: charlies2014@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.charlies.org.uk
Maggie’s Centre
Maggie’s Centre is situated on College Baths Road next door to the old College Baths, behind the Fire Station in Cheltenham. The centre provides information, benefits advice, psychological support (both individually and in groups), courses and stress reducing strategies.
Centre manager: Nicola Peregrine
Email: nicola.peregrine@maggiescentres.org
Tel: 01242 250 611
Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm
Website: www.maggiescentres
Contact information
To arrange a review, please use the contact numbers below:
Gynaecology Surgical Clinical Administration Team
Tel: 0300 422 4464
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm
Oncology Secretary Team
Tel: 0300 422 4925 or
Tel: 0300 422 3510
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm
Gynaecological Cancer Nurse Specialists
Tel: 0300 422 4047 or
Tel: 0300 422 3181
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
If we cannot take your call, please leave a short message with your name, date of birth and contact number and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS)
This is a county-wide service offering a variety of support programmes for women and men over 16 years old who are experiencing domestic abuse.
Tel: 01452 726 570
Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm
Domestic Violence Helpline
Tel: 0808 2000 247 (24 hours)
Email: support@gdass.org.uk
Website: www.gdass.org.uk