GEP Medicine in Society Guide 2022/23: Cancer in primary care

6. Themed Days - Primary Care

6.11. Cancer in primary care

Preparatory work

In preparation students should have:

Read about the NHS Cancer Programme and key ambitions on the NHS long term plan for cancer.
Watched the
of Dr Kate Granger talking about her illness, its impact on her and the “hello my name is” campaign
Looked at the “Be Clear on Cancer” campaign website.
Reviewed some of the resources about living with cancer on the healthtalk.org website and chosen to watch one or two videos of patient experiences of cancer.

Aims

To introduce the students 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 students 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; any hot topics e.g. impact of COVID-19 on cancer screening and treatment (lots of articles)
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 students 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?

Further reading/resources

Paul Kanathi - When Breath Becomes Air

Atul Gawande - Being Mortal

John Diamond - C: Because Cowards Get Cancer Too

Ruth Picardie - Before I Say Goodbye

Dr Kate Granger’s blog