I always knew I wanted to go into nursing. I joined the Trust 12 years ago, moving from radiotherapy, to chemotherapy, to clinical trials, before joining our unique metastatic breast cancer nursing team when they launched a new specialist nursing service in January 2024.

The service is solely dedicated to managing and reducing side-effects from cancer treatment for patients with secondary breast cancer.

My aim is to help patients stay on treatment for longer and enjoy a better quality of life during their treatment by preventing, managing and reducing side-effects. The goal is ensuring patients don’t become so unwell they have to defer treatment or stop it altogether because their side-effects have become so severe.

I really enjoy working with patients directly and being able to support them – being that consistent point of contact, offering preventive advice, and explaining what to look out for and what to do if they develop any symptoms.

I’m also passionate about educating other nursing staff across CCC about toxicities and how to support or signpost patients with side-effects. 

My role also helps my metastatic CNS colleagues, who can now refer patients for specific support with side-effects to me, leaving them more capacity for supporting patients with their other clinical, psychological and social needs. I can really see the difference it makes.

My 12 years at CCC moving roles and departments and all the experience I’ve gained in that time has been really relevant to this role. From starting on the old Conway ward, where I learned about radiotherapy side-effects, to working on Delamere and Linda Mc and seeing the chemotherapy side of things, through to being a clinical trials nurse and educator, it’s all been really useful.