Inside medicine: Lung cancer nurse

40,000 new lung cancer cases are diagnosed each year

In a series focusing on medical specialties, the BBC News website meets Sandra Collinson, who talks about being a lung cancer clinical nurse specialist.

Her role is to help treat and support people who have been diagnosed with the disease throughout their illness.

Sandra Collinson's CV

What is your job?

At the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust (RD&E) I work closely with all the members of the lung cancer team to provide a specialist nursing service for patients with lung cancer, mesothelioma (rare cancer usually connected to asbestos exposure), and malignant pleural effusions (cancer causing fluid to be produced around the lung).

Many patients feel there is a stigma attached to lung cancer and that they brought it on themselves through smoking so shouldn't ask for help Sandra Collinson

I am the first point of contact for patients.

I provide psychological support, expert advice, nursing knowledge and skills to patients and their families. I act as a resource to advise, educate and support those involved in the care of patients. This includes doctors, nurses and all healthcare professionals as well as patients and their families.

I run a specialist nursing service supporting patient and their families, advising on all aspects of their on-going care. I also see patients for regular follow-up once treatment has finished.

And I liaise with GP and district nurses/hospice care team and respond to patients on-going changing needs.

What is the most common procedure?

I work with lung cancer patients.

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world today, with 40,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the UK alone.

More women die from lung cancer than breast cancer and 90% of those diagnosed are smokers.

Smokers and ex-smokers are in a higher risk group of developing lung cancer, but is also possible for someone who has never smoked to get lung cancer.

The treatment options for lung cancer are either surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or best supportive care. I give patients the information they need in order to make informed consent on treatment options.

The most common procedure?

My role is varied and centres round four areas.

Clinical: General patient care, which includes coping with diagnosis, pre/post treatment, advising on breathlessness and ways to improve it, referring to smoke stop advisor, advice on poor diet, living with lung cancer and referring to other services such as hospice care, dietician, massage, counsellors.

Normal lung (left) beside a smokers lung (right)

Stop smoking advice is vitally important if patients are to have radical treatment as recovery can be complicated/delayed if smoking continues.

Managerial: Making sure patients aren't waiting for scans or appointments, service development and improvement.

Education: Educating patient and families about the disease process, treatment options and side-effects. Training district nurses and members of healthcare team.

Research: Planning research/audit projects to analyse best care for patients and improve care and service provision.

The hardest thing about your job?

It is a very difficult time telling someone they have lung cancer, and seeing their families in distress.

The most satisfying case?

When I can support patients and give them time to ask questions at what is a vulnerable time in their lives.

Knowing that I am striving for the best care for my patients makes the job worthwhile and raising the awareness of lung cancer is vital in order for public perception to change.

Many patients feel there is a stigma attached to lung cancer and that they brought it on themselves through smoking so shouldn't ask for help. This must change, as early diagnosis is vital.

Why did you choose this specialty?

I went into oncology as it was a job advertised when I was a junior staff nurse and I thought I would "give it a go" and the rest is history!

I really enjoy working in cancer care feel privileged to be able to support patients at a difficult time in their lives.

If you had you time again would you change your speciality?

I wouldn't want to be doing anything else.

What specialty would you have gone into if not your own?

My ideal job when I was a student nurse was neuro-intensive care! How life changes!

How do you see the role developing in the future?

I expect there to be a move towards more nurse-led clinics and more nurse prescribing. This will all contribute to ensuring continuity of care for patients.

Nurses are in a position to look after the patient in a holistic way to ensure all care needs are addressed, therefore the nurse-led follow up, is an excellent way to see patients who may have symptoms of cancer or recurrence and triage the service.

There should be more emphasis on smoking cessation and seeing GP sooner if problems arise.

Click here to return

CV - Sandra Collinson

1989: Qualified as a Registered General Nurse

1998:Clinical nurse specialist for lung cancer patients

1999: Diploma in Health Studies

2006:BSc Honours