COVID-19

We are aware that many of our patients are feeling extremely anxious during this difficult time. Many of you will be concerned about whether COVID-19 will affect your treatment plans and what these changes might mean for you. We want to reassure you that your cancer care team is working hard to assess any changes that might be necessary for you.

We want to acknowledge that some changes will be extremely difficult. We are in an unprecedented situation and very tough decisions are having to be made as the NHS struggles with current demand. We do not take these decisions lightly and understand how worrying this may be for you.

It is vital that we do not put you at risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19, while making sure you get the safest possible cancer treatment at the right time. For some of you, this may mean delaying the start of your treatment rather than risk exposing you to the virus, so that you can self-isolate as the government has recommended; for others, it may mean that we temporarily choose different treatments to reduce the effect on your immune system. It may also be necessary to delay surgery or trial treatments until COVID-19 has passed.

You may feel that your support systems have changed, as you are no longer meeting the doctors and nurses that you see regularly because most hospitals will now have moved to telephone reviews. As with all decisions, your safety and reducing your risk of exposure to COVID-19 are at the heart of this. If you are finding this hard, we encourage you to reach out to the many fantastic cancer charities who have a wide range of support available and can help you make sense of this new world we find ourselves in. A list of useful resources are available below.

Your team will discuss every option with you to make sure you understand your situation, and will also weigh up all of the additional factors to ensure your safety during these unprecedented times. Please be assured that we will continue to be your advocates and will do our very best to support you and your families during this most difficult of times.

On behalf of the Gynaecological cancer care teams in the UK

 

As health care resources (doctors, nurses, equipment, theatre and intensive care facilities etc) are being compromised and redeployed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the BGCS has formed an expert working group to put together a framework of care for women with gynaecological cancer to help plan their treatment in the best and safest way.

The multi-disciplinary group has strong links with the charities who support these women and their families, and are immensely grateful for their involvement in this work. 

This document outlines the BGCS Framework of Care and has links to all the charity support lines.

 

OVARIAN CANCER

Ovarian Cancer Action

Ovacome – links to support:

  • Staying connected program (a series of webinars and online workshops, all requested by those we support and run by specialists). All workshops and webinars are being transcribed for those unable to join us online or via phone. Our choir and all our regular support groups are also now online too.
  • Our support line has been super busy so we have introduced new phone numbers and have three full time staff taking calls.  We also work until 8pm on a Tuesday.
  • Here is our 24/7 forum We are monitoring it constantly and will ensure it has regular and factually accurate updates posted.
  • We will be setting up a ‘request a call back’ service in the coming days – for those who we know to be especially vulnerable, those who do not have English as a first language, those who do not have internet access and those who are living in rurally isolated areas with poor connectivity.  Ovacome.

Target Ovarian Cancer

  • Target Ovarian Cancer’s nurse-led Support Line provides confidential information, support and signposting for anyone affected by ovarian cancer. The Support Line is open from 9am until 5.30pm, Monday to Friday – 020 7923 5475.  Both of our support line nurses are former gynae-oncology CNSs.
  • Target Ovarian Cancer’s In Touch private facebook group offers women the chance to speak to other women with ovarian cancer wherever they are in the UK.

GoGirls

Eve Appeal

Macmillan
We understand that people with cancer are worried about coronavirus. Here is the latest guidance.

 

CERVICAL CANCER

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust

We are the UK’s leading cervical cancer charity. If you or your patients have questions or concerns about HPV, the HPV vaccine, cervical screening (a smear test), cell changes or cervical cancer, our information and support services can help by providing accurate information and someone to listen.

GoGirls

Eve Appeal

Macmillan
We understand that people with cancer are worried about coronavirus. Here is the latest guidance.

WOMB CANCER

Eve Appeal
FAQs on womb cancer and coronavirus

Macmillan
We understand that people with cancer are worried about coronavirus. Here is the latest guidance.

 

Public Information