Cancer care in Bath

Cancer occurs when cells in part of the body grow and multiply excessively. These cancerous cells then destroy the surrounding healthy tissue.

Cancer can sometimes spread to other areas of the body, a process known as metastasis. As the cancer spreads and more healthy tissue is destroyed, you may develop serious, life-changing and life-threatening symptoms and conditions.

Cancer affects everybody differently and we know just how hard it can be to receive a cancer diagnosis.

Oncology is a specialist branch of medicine that deals with the assessment and treatment of cancer. A doctor who specialises in this field is a Consultant Clinical or Medical Oncologist.

Whether you are preparing for or currently receiving cancer treatment, or have had treatment in the past, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns. As well as any tiredness and anxiety you may have, it can also often be a very stressful and worrying time for you and your loved ones.

When you choose to have your private cancer treatment at Bath Clinic, you will benefit from streamlined care, easy access to treatment and support tailored to your specific needs in a COVID-19 safe environment.

With five Consultant Oncologists and a dedicated team of cancer specialists working on-site, you will receive expert guidance, support and treatment at every stage of your journey.

The experienced Oncology team at Bath Clinic provide specialist support and treatment for a range of cancers, including:

• Breast cancer
• Brain cancer
• Upper gastrointestinal cancer
• Head and neck cancer
• Lung cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Renal (kidney) cancer
• Endocrine cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Colo-rectal/bowel cancer
• Gynaecological cancer
• Melanoma (skin cancer)

Treatment for cancer will depend on a number of factors, including the type of cancer you have, how far it has spread and your general health. Treatment for cancer may be with:

• Chemotherapy
• Hormone therapy 
• Immunotherapy
• Surgery
• Radiotherapy

We can help you to access the most appropriate support for your specific condition sooner. If you require radiotherapy, this will be arranged for you in a specialist unit outside the hospital, either in Bath or Bristol.

When you come to Bath Clinic for the first time, you will most likely already have a cancer diagnosis. Your first consultation will be focused on exploring potential treatment options, and your oncologist (along with an oncology nurse) will advise you on expected outcomes from each option.

We always recommend bringing somebody with you to this appointment, like a family member of close friend. When you are discussing cancer treatments, it can be difficult to take everything in at first and having somebody there with you is often a real help.

Everything will always be explained as clearly and simply as possible, but if you have any questions or don’t understand something, it is important to let us know so that we can put that right.

Once everything has been explained to you, we will ask you to sign consent forms regarding your treatment, and you will then be given some time to go away and think about treatment options. This is usually for at least 48 hours.

It is important that you have this time and space to think honestly and realistically about what you want from your treatment, what your goals are for recovery, and whether the recommended treatment is right for you. While we can offer advice about the best treatment options, the decision is always yours and you need the opportunity to come to a decision without any pressure.

Once you have decided to proceed with treatment, you will be booked in for your first session. Your lead Oncology nurse will recap your diagnosis, confirm your consent and talk through the details about your chosen treatment plan once more with you.

The next steps depend on the treatment regime you are on. You may have oral medication, or treatment delivered intravenously (directly into the vein). Treatment is always in a private room for your convenience.

As you progress through your treatment, we will closely monitor and review everything so that we can ensure you are undergoing the most effective treatment. We can tailor and adjust your treatment programme as required.

We have an excellent on-site Physiotherapy team with extensive experience in helping people who are undergoing cancer treatment. They can help with pain, swelling, muscle weakness or stiffness that occurs as a result of your treatment, or to improve your mobility after a period of inactivity.

We work very closely with pain specialists to help manage any symptoms effectively throughout your treatment.

It is so important to get the right nutrients into your body during cancer treatment, but we know that this can often be difficult, particularly when treatment affects your appetite or causes you to feel nauseous. Dieticians are readily available to help you with nutrition advice and support if your appetite changes during your treatment.

Rather than having to wait for a referral, we can book appointments for you directly so that your rehabilitation can proceed promptly with minimal hassle for you.

The majority of our private cancer patients have private medical insurance, but we also treat self-pay patients. While many of the people we treat are from Bath and surrounding areas, others travel from further afield, including Swindon and Wiltshire, to benefit from the expertise of our Oncology consultants.

If you are considering private cancer treatment, we believe you will not find a better place to come for comprehensive support, treatment, care and follow-up than Bath Clinic. Here’s why:

• Fast access to a Consultant Clinical Oncologist – With five highly experienced Oncologists working on-site, we can arrange an appointment for you without delay so that treatment can be planned and started at the earliest opportunity.
• 24/7 access to support – From your very first assessment, you will have access to our 24-hour on-call programme. Alongside emergency use, this can also be called for advice or extra support if you feel anxious at any time.
• Personalised Care Programmes – Cancer affects everybody differently, and every person’s journey is unique. We will provide you with a personalised treatment plan and will regularly review each part of the programme and tailor as required. Whether your treatment is with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, or another form of intervention, your treatment will always be adapted to suit your needs.
• Continuity of care – You will always see the same consultant and will never have to worry about seeing a more junior doctor. They will oversee every aspect of your care, and if you have any questions or concerns at any time, it is very easy to arrange an appointment with them. Similarly, our excellent Oncology nurses are always available to talk with you about any aspect of your treatment.
• On-site Diagnostics – Fast, easy access to MRI, X-ray and CT, as well as blood testing facilities, reduce unnecessary journeys and waiting times.
• Multidisciplinary team – Cancer treatment involves a large team, all working together to provide you with the support, guidance, treatment and help you need. With fast access to a multidisciplinary team, including haematologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pain management consultants, surgeons, and radiologists, you will always see the most appropriate specialist.
• Recommended by patients – In an independent survey, 97.9% of our patients said they were likely or extremely likely to recommend us to their friends and family. We don’t take this for granted and continue to focus on delivering the highest standards of care and support for everyone who visits us for their cancer treatment.
• Location – Bath Clinic is located about two miles from the centre of historic Bath and very easy to travel to by private or public transport. Our 100-space private car park is free for patients and visitors, so you won’t have to worry about where to park.
• Facilities – The hospital is situated within a beautifully landscaped setting. With modern hospital buildings sometimes appearing quite cold and impersonal, our patients often comment on the historic exterior of Bath Clinic, which offers a refreshingly intimate and personal welcome to you. As you walk through the doors, you will find yourself in a modern hospital with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities and incredibly friendly staff, all focused on supporting you throughout your cancer treatment.

If you have recently received a cancer diagnosis, we know it may be an unsettling, confusing and worrying time. Why not let us help to remove some of the stress? When you book your initial visit to Bath Clinic, you will be able to discuss treatment options with one of our specialist consultants, talk through any concerns or worries you may have in a safe, relaxed environment, and make an informed decision on how best to proceed.

We look forward to welcoming you to  Bath Clinic soon and helping to support you through your cancer treatment.

Knowing what to look for regarding breast health has never been more important. With delays to cancer diagnosis and the tragic loss of singer Sarah Harding to breast cancer, becoming better informed on a range of breast related issues can and will help you gain the confidence you need.