Different types of drugs are used to treat cancer. They do this in different ways.
Systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) is a term used to describe the different drug therapies for cancer. These include:
- Chemotherapy – which aims to kill cancer cells
- Hormone therapy (endocrine therapy) – which aims to block or reduce the hormones that cause some cancer cells to grow
- Immunotherapy – which aims to train your immune system to attack cancer
- Targeted therapies – which aim to target the DNA and cell changes that cause cancer
This page explains what to expect during your treatment with us.
Our Chemotherapy and SACT nurses are highly-qualified and have had specialist training in cancer drug treatments. They will be there for you every step of the way.
We have comfortable treatment chairs and beds. We also offer free tea, coffee and light refreshments. Parking is free at all our treatment locations.
Our team
Divisional Nurse Director for Networked Services
Carla Taylor
Matron
Claire Bennett
Ward managers
Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool
Rachael Gregory
Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Wirral
Sarah Mullis
Aintree University Hospital: Marina Dalglish Centre
Joanne Fisher
Halton Hospital: CanTreat
Laura Selby
Treatment locations
We have treatment clinics in hospitals across Cheshire and Merseyside. Wherever possible, we will offer you treatment in the location that is most convenient for you.
We also offer treatment at home and in the workplace for people on some cancer treatments.
Some more specialist treatments – including treatment for rare cancers – are only available in our main hospital(s).
Read more about our treatment locations and how to get there:
Your doctor will discuss this with you during your appointment so you can decide what treatment is right for you. You can bring someone with you to this appointment (e.g. a family member, carer or friend) if you like. You can ask any questions you have about your treatment options. You can also talk about any worries you have.
When you are ready, your doctor will ask you to give your consent for treatment. Giving your consent confirms you are agreeing to have treatment. You do not have to give consent if you decide you do not want the treatment.
Before your first treatment, you will have a pre-assessment appointment with a specialist cancer nurse.
At your pre-assessment, you will have blood tests. You might also have some other tests, depending on your treatment. We will also measure your height and weight so we know how much treatment to give you (the dose).
Your nurse will explain more about your treatment and about what to expect. You can ask any questions you have and talk about anything that is worrying you.
Your nurse will also tell you about your treatment appointments including how often your treatments will be.
Central and PICC lines
If your treatment needs to be given into your veins via a drip or a needle, you might have a line inserted to make this more comfortable. The line is a tube that stays in your body for as long as it is needed. It means you don’t need to have a needle inserted every time you have treatment – the treatment is given directly into the line.
Our Clinical Interventions team will insert the line for you at an appointment before you begin treatment. This will usually take place in Level 1 at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool.
We know you might feel nervous about starting cancer treatment. Our specialist nurses will do all they can to make it as easy and comfortable as possible for you. They will be there for you every step of the way.
You can ask them any questions you have and talk about anything that is worrying you. They can also help if you have any side-effects or feel unwell from your treatment.
What to bring with you
You might like to bring something with you to help pass the time more comfortably:
- Something to read
- A phone or device for listening to music, watching TV or films, playing games and so on. We have free WiFi. Please wear headphones as a courtesy to others
- Your own drinks or snacks if you prefer them to the ones we provide
Find out about bringing someone with you when you come for treatment.
When you arrive
You will need to check in to reception to let us know you have arrived. Tell the receptionist you are there and they will explain where to wait for your appointment. In some locations, you can check in by using a self-check-in machine that will tell you where to wait for your appointment.
Your nurse will collect you from the waiting area. They will ask you some questions to check you are able to have treatment. They will also check your height and weight again.
Visitors and chaperones
You can usually bring someone with you to your treatment if you wish. For safety and comfort, we just ask you to follow these rules:
- One adult visitor or chaperone can come with you
- Children are not allowed – it is not a safe or suitable environment for children
- Follow any local restrictions on visiting. (For example, sometimes visitors might not be allowed due to the risk of infection.)
- Drip – where treatment in a bag is given through a tube into your body, usually into your arm. Sometimes this can take several hours
- Injection – where the treatment is injected straight into your body
- Oral – as a tablet or capsule that you put into your mouth and swallow (oral chemotherapy)
- Directly – some treatments can be inserted into the body or put on the skin
You might have a range of different cancer drugs during your treatment. This might change how and where you have treatment – for example, you might have drip treatment at first and then change to oral chemotherapy.
Your doctors and nursing team will explain any changes in your treatment so you know what to expect.
Treatment times
Some treatments are very quick. If your treatment is oral or by an injection, your appointment will be booked into one of our rapid chairs – these are normally 30-minute appointments.
Most drip treatments need to be given more slowly. Sometimes this can take several hours or most of the day depending on what treatment you are having.
Facilities and comfort
We want you to feel relaxed and comfortable during your treatment. All our treatment locations offer:
- Comfortable treatment chairs
- Free WiFi
- Free tea, coffee and light refreshments – we also offer sandwiches if you are having a long treatment over lunch
- Free parking – ask your nursing team about this
Please use headphones as a courtesy to others if you are listening to something on your phone or device (e.g. music, TV, film, games, video call).
Our treatment team and volunteers are there for anything you need.
Hair loss can be a side-effect of some cancer treatments. Scalp cooling can help reduce this hair loss.
If you are on certain cancer drugs, we might ask if you would like to wear a cool cap (also known as a cold cap) during your treatment. The cap cools the scalp while your chemotherapy is being delivered. This can help to reduce hair loss. However it can feel unpleasant and it does not work for everyone.
If you are using a cool cap you might like to bring:
• Your own conditioner for your hair
• A blanket
• A hot water bottle
• Towels
Find out what to expect if you use a cool cap:
We can also advise you on wigs and scarves and other support for hair loss – ask your nursing team about this.
Treatment side-effects and complications
Cancer drugs can cause side-effects or other health issues. Your clinical team can help with this. Tell them about any side-effects or complications you develop. Many of these side-effects are mild and can be treated with over-the-counter medicines from your local pharmacy.
But some of these side-effects and complications can be very serious.
Call our Hotline straight away if:
- You have a temperature over 37.5°C (99.5°F)
- You suddenly feel unwell, even with a normal temperature
- You have symptoms of an infection – these include feeling shivery and shaking; a sore throat; a cough; breathlessness; diarrhoea; needing to pee frequently or feeling pain or discomfort when you pee
- Your temperature goes below 36°C (96.8°F)
Our Hotline nurses can assess your symptoms and offer expert advice on what to do next.
Call 999 or go to A&E straight away if you have:
- Chest pain
- Severe breathing difficulties
- Severe confusion or unconscious
- Moderate or severe bleeding
- Symptoms of a stroke
- Other serious life-threatening emergencies
Find out about urgent cancer care and our Hotline and Clinical Decisions Unit .
There is lots of useful information about side-effects and complications on the Macmillan Cancer Care website.
We have included information about some common side-effects and complications below.