An event to set new recommendations for cancer treatment helplines
Category: Personal diagnosis
Attend an in-person event in London and share your experience of using acute oncology service hotlines to help shape new recommendations for how they should be delivered across the UK
What’s the event about?
The term systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) refers to all medication that’s used to treat cancer, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
When people are receiving SACT, they should have access to a 24-hour helpline through their oncology service which they can call to get advice and support for any symptoms or side effects from their treatment.
However, a recent survey has shown that across the UK, cancer alliances and hospitals aren’t consistent in how the helplines are delivered. This may mean that people aren’t easily able to access the support they need when undergoing treatment for cancer.
The UK Acute Oncology Service is holding an in-person event on 4 July which will set out the recommendations for how helplines for people receiving SACT should be run.
They’d like to invite someone who’d used this service during their treatment to attend this event and share their experience.
Who’s organising it?
Name of project lead: Gini Melesi
Job title: Head of Transformation & Clinical Networks
Organisation: East of England Cancer Alliance
Email address: virginiamelesi@nhs.net
Phone number: 07495 785 955
Who can take part?
You can take part if you’ve been personally diagnosed with breast cancer and have used an oncology service helpline to ask for advice or support during your treatment.
You also need to be able to travel into central London for the event.
Why do you want me to be involved?
By attending the event and sharing your experience of using the helplines, you can ensure that the recommendations that are developed are fit for purpose, and mean that people having cancer treatment are able to access the advice and support they need.
What will you ask me to do?
The event organisers would like you to attend their event on 4 July, from 10am to 3.30pm. The event will be held in
De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms
London
WC2B 5DA
At the event, you’ll be asked to give a 20 minute talk on your experience of using the helplines and why you feel they matter.
You’re welcome to attend the whole day and be part of the discussions and panel sessions that will take place, or just part of it.
How do I get involved?
If you have any questions, or would like to take part, please contact Gini on virginiamelesi@nhs.net
When’s the deadline?
6 June 2025
Get involved
Attend the event and share your experience to help shape the new recommendations for SACT helplines in the UK