Colorectal and Bowel Cancer Multi-Disciplinary Team

Your Healthcare Team

Diagnosis and treatment of cancer requires a team of experts called a Multi-Disciplinary Team (or MDT for short).  The team is made up of people with different skills and training and who are all cancer experts.  The team includes specialists who understand how cancers appear, what they look like, how they behave and what cancer cells look like under the microscope.  They know how and when to test for cancer, how to treat it and how it may affect your life.  There are lots of people in the MDT.  All of them play a part in supporting you and your family during and after your treatment.

You come first 

To make sure you are the one who benefits, everyone in the MDT meets on a regular basis.  Your case will be discussed to ensure that all appropriate choices for treatment for you are considered.  When you have choices they will be explained and verbal and written information will be available to you to support any decision you are making.

Some of the team that you may come into contact with may include the following:

The Surgeon

This is a specialist who can assess bowel problems and diagnose primary and recurrent cancer.  Once your condition has been diagnosed, the surgeon will discuss with you different treatment options and drugs currently available.  The surgeon will also carry out any operations needed to remove cancer.

The Registrar 

The Registrar is a senior doctor working under the Consultant who has chosen to specialise in this area of care.

The Colorectal/Stoma Care Nurse Specialist 

This is a nurse who is an expert in the care and support of people with colorectal/bowel problems.  The colorectal nurse will provide information to help you understand your condition and support you during your future treatment.  He/she will advise you on practical issues and help with problems associated with your stoma and will guide you through your continuing follow up care.

Nurse Endoscopist 

This is a nurse specially trained to carry out endoscopic procedures such as a colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy (bowel examinations). These are diagnostic tests using a long flexible tube with a bright light on the end.  This examination gives a clear view of the lining of the colon / bowel and allows a diagnosis to be made.

The Radiologist 

This is a doctor who is an expert in carrying out diagnostic tests such as CT, MR and special scans. The Radiologist is specially trained to interpret these scan results.

Diagnostic Radiographer   

This is a radiographer who is skilled in the use of a range of x-ray and ultrasound equipment to produce images / pictures, which help to diagnose disease.

The Pathologist

This is a doctor who is an expert in looking at cancer cells under a microscope and working out how they might behave to guide decisions on treatments.

The Oncologist 

This doctor is an expert on non-surgical treatments for different types of cancer.  A clinical oncologist specialises particularly in radiotherapy but may also have experience in chemotherapy and hormone therapy.  A medical oncologist specialises in chemotherapy and hormone therapy.

Research Nurse 

This nurse identifies patients who are eligible for research studies, provides patients and their families with information about research, co-ordinates treatment and supports patients whilst they are taking part.

Therapy Radiographer   

This is a skilled radiographer who organises and gives radiotherapy treatment, working closely with the clinical oncologist.

Any questions?

If you are worried about something or don’t understand something you have heard, your Colorectal/Stoma Care Nurse is there to help.  Your Colorectal/Stoma Care Nurse is available 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday and can be contacted on 01942 822034.  When the nurse is in outpatient clinics or on the wards and the answer machine is switched on, all messages will be answered on the next available working day.

Additional Information

At some point during your treatment, you may need to visit the Cancer Treatment Centre at the Christie Hospital in Manchester. Some cancer treatments can be given orally (tablets at home) but other standard forms of chemotherapy can be administered locally on the Cancer Care Suite at Wigan Infirmary. Complicated chemotherapy and radiotherapy can only be given at the Christie hospital.

If being treated locally is important to you please discuss this with your medical oncologist.

Wherever the most suitable place for you to receive your treatment is will be discussed with you fully in relation to your condition, clinical trials and, of course, your wishes.

Key Worker … ………………………………………………………………….

Colorectal Telephone: 01942 822884 

Stoma Telephone: 01942 822034 

Other information

Cancer Bacup:  www.cancerbacup.org.uk

Macmillan Cancer Relief:  www.macmillan.org.uk