Breast Cancer

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is when cells in your breast grow in an uncontrolled way and form a tumour. It is one of the most common cancers in Scotland. Breast cancer mainly affects women but men can also get it, although this is rare. We don’t know what causes breast cancer. But we do know that it is influenced by your age, lifestyle and family history.

How is breast cancer treated?

Common Treatments

The most common treatments for breast cancer are surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy. The type of treatment you receive will depend on your individual circumstances. Your consultant will discuss your treatment options with you.

You can find a good explanation of treatment choices at Breast Cancer Now.

You can also find useful information at Macmillan.

Clinical Trials

We are keen to improve breast cancer care by recruiting to clinical trials. If you are suitable for a trial, your team will discuss this with you. More information on trials can be found at Cancer Research UK.

Who’ll be involved in my care?

There are many different members of staff involved in your care. Including:

Clinical Oncologists

Doctors specialising in the treatment of cancer involving radiotherapy.

Medical Oncologists

Doctors specialising in the treatment of cancer involving drug treatments.

Breast Advanced Clinical Nurse Specialists (ACNS) / Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANP)

Based in oncology, they provide information, advice and support to you as you go through treatment and direct you to help from other sources if needed eg: benefits, Macmillan grants, psychological support services.

They assess you while you are on treatment and prescribe chemotherapy and other supportive drugs you might need.

Lynne Stirling, ANP 0141 301 7636
Vicky Evans, ANP 0141 301 7258
Jillian Monahan, CNS, 0141 301 7636

IV Chemotherapy Nurses

Give chemotherapy in out-patient chemotherapy units and assess you for treatment so you only need to see medical staff at set times or if any problems arise.

Therapy Radiographers

Therapy Radiographers provide information, advice and support to patients having radiotherapy, help plan the radiotherapy and review you during radiotherapy with the nurse specialist staff to see how you are coping and to monitor side effects.

Anne Armstrong, Consultant Breast Radiographer
Karen Aitken, Specialist Breast Radiographer
Fiona Sinclair, Senior Radiographer

Clinical Trials Nurses

Clinical trials nurses provide support and information for patients who take part in clinical trials.

Out-patient Nursing Staff

You will meet many different members of our nursing staff during your appointments to clinic. They work closely with your doctor and help prepare you for any examinations or tests you may have. They can offer advice, care and treatment on many problems associated with treatment such as radiotherapy skin reactions, open wounds and infections.

Pharmacist

Our pharmacies specialise in cancer drug treatment and support our medical and nursing staff in all aspects of chemotherapy and drug prescription. They can offer advice on any questions or concerns about your medications or chemotherapy and any effects they may have.

Where will I be treated?

We hold outpatient clinics in the following hospitals: