6. Themed Days - Primary Care

6.9. Cancer in primary care

Preparatory work

In preparation students should have: 

 Kate's Story 

  • Watch the 15-minute video above by Dr Kate Grainger talk about her illness, its impact on her health and the ‘hello my name is campaign.’  You should reflect on this video and think about any specifically on how the diagnosis change her perspective on life.  Also think about her views on planning for the future.  This may be something you discuss further on the day. 

  • Read about the NHS Cancer Programme and key ambitions on the NHS long term plan for cancer. 

 

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Aims 

To introduce the you to the topic of cancer and its impact on the patient, their family and carers, the primary healthcare team and the wider health and social care professionals. 

  

 

Learning outcomes 

By the end of the day the studentsyou will be able to:  

  • Identify the key National Government strategies that impact on the primary care team  

  • Describe the national campaigns for screening for cervical breast and bowel cancer and the stigma around uptake in primary care 

  • Describe the public health campaigns and the role of the GP, in improving earlier diagnosis of cancer 

  • Identify the wider health and social care team that can be involved with a patient with cancer 

  • Describe the common red flag symptoms that may indicate a cancer diagnosis. 

  • Describe the impact of a cancer diagnosis on the patient (or their carer) and their primary care team. 

  

Example timetable 

9.30 – 10.30 

Tutorial on cancer in primary care 

  

10.30 – 10.45 

  

Tea break 

10.45 – 11.45 

Breakout task; Red flags – case studies 

  

  

11.45 – 12.45 

Feedback from case studies 

  

Students to look at practice 2WW referrals 

  

12.45 – 13.45 

Lunch 

  

13.45 – 14.45 

Prepare for patient encounters 

  • Plan questions and observations 

  

Patient encounters 

  • Interview a patient with current or past cancer diagnosis 

  

14.45 – 15.00 

  

Tea break 

15.00 – 16.00 

Debrief after meeting with patients with a cancer diagnosis and discuss impact on the students and healthcare team 

Set homework for next session 

 

 

Suggested activities 

  • Tutorial on cancer in primary care – could include discussion around cancer diagnosis, survival rates and NHS key priorities; students presenting on cancer screening programmes and debates surrounding its efficacy; group discussion about clinical signs and symptoms of different cancers and link to 2 week wait system; reviewing cancer awareness campaigns. 

  • Sit in with GP or nurse looking at possible pathways for referral for cancer investigation (including 2 Week Wait) 

  • Case studies – red flags (link to 2WW referrals) 

  • Group brainstorm MDT involved in caring for cancer patients and their families/carers. Followed by a visit to or research into an allied health/social care professional/cancer charity support/bereavement group and feedback to group 

  • Interview a patient with a current or past cancer diagnosis; group debrief after meeting and discuss impact on the students and healthcare team 

  

Questions for you to consider 

  • If you met a patient with a current or past diagnosis of cancer – what did they remember about receiving their cancer diagnosis? What support did they receive other than medical treatment and did they feel their wider care needs were met? How can healthcare professionals support patients when they are faced with a cancer diagnosis? 

  • What might stop a patient from presenting to their GP with a worrying symptom that could be cancer? How can the primary care team and/or public health teams encourage and support patients to seek help?