Leaflet Details
| Title | Personalised Stratified Follow-Up After Treatment for Primary Ovarian Cancer |
| Department | Gynaecology / Oncology |
| Author(s) | Gynae-Oncology Team |
| Review Date | December 2025 |
| Next Review | December 2027 |
| Download | A5 Booklet PDF |
| Accessibility Options | Click on the Recite Me button to show our accessibility resources |
Patient Information
Introduction
Monday - Friday 08.30-16.30
Contact Number: 01932 726856
This information is for patients on our Personalised Stratified Follow-Up (PSFU) service.
What is PSFU?
The personalised stratified follow-up service has been specifically designed to support you when you have completed your treatment. It is a type of follow-up where you, the patient, are in control. Instead of being offered regular visits, you can make an appointment to see us if you have worries or concerns following your consultation. It is based on evidence showing that symptoms and concerns are addressed more quickly if patients report them as and when they occur, rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
You will have 2 years of personalised stratified follow-up, post-treatment. Certain patients may require a longer follow up, for 10 years - you will be informed if this is necessary.
Will I need to have any regular tests?
Not all patients on PSFU will need this. You may be invited for regular blood tests if appropriate - and will be advised if so.
If bloods are required, you can either book to have this done at your GP, via Swiftqueue at https://swiftqueue.co.uk (you will need to register using your email address), or by calling our Patient Navigator team on 01932 726856.
Risks and side effects
Patients tend to identify most recurrences themselves in between appointments. If you have any concerns, you will be able to contact your clinical nurse specialist (CNS) directly.
End of Treatment Review
Following your treatment, you will be offered an end of treatment review appointment with your clinical specialist team. This will help you to prepare for the next stage of your care, where you are in control of your own health and well-being with the support of your clinical team. At this appointment you will be given an end of treatment summary that will include:
- A summary of your diagnosis and treatment
- Information on any future appointments and tests
- Information about the symptoms and side effects that you need to be aware of, and who to contact should you experience them
- Advice on how to keep yourself well
- Information on the service available to support you in moving forward following your treatment
- Information on how to contact your clinical specialist team.
An end of treatment summary will be provided to you and your GP by your treating hospital.
Summary of symptoms you may want to report
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you must report this to your CNS straight away:
- Pelvic / abdominal pain
- Abdominal bloating
- Vaginal bleeding or discharge lasting longer than 2 weeks
- Changes in bowel or bladder habits
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly when eating
- New shortness of breath or chest pain
- Pain in lower back
- New onset leg swelling
- Feeling excessively tired
You should also contact your CNS if you:
- Develop any new symptoms.
- Experience any of your original signs or symptoms
- Have any concerns about managing your health and wellbeing
The Open access telephone service
Once you have entered the PSFU program you should call us to talk about any new symptoms that you are concerned about or other issues you may have. The aim of the telephone service is to provide helpful advice and allow you to have rapid access back to the gynaecology team as required. A Macmillan support worker will also be available to offer information support over the phone once you have completed treatment.
Feelings and emotions
Everyone will have different feelings when they no longer need to see their medical team regularly. Some people feel relieved that they can start to get their lives back to normal, others may be concerned about what can happen in the future and anxious about losing contact with the hospital where they received their treatment. Most people worry about the cancer coming back. This is very normal and usually these anxieties lessen with time.
Realising that there is a problem and getting help is the most important thing you can do. While it is normal to feel low from time to time, sometimes you may find the way you are feeling is interfering with your enjoyment of life. If you are finding it difficult to cope, your gynaecology nurse specialist may be able to arrange an appointment for one-to-one support or counselling. It may also help to contact a local or national support organisation such as Macmillan Cancer Support. Their contact details can be found at the back of this booklet.
Our commitment to you
If the gynaecology nurse feels that you should be seen back in one of our clinics because of any symptoms you are experiencing, we will make sure that you are offered an appointment. If necessary, further investigations may be organised and an out-patient appointment arranged to receive the results. Sometimes, verbal advice may replace the need for an outpatient appointment and may be supported by correspondence to you and your GP. We hope that this enhances and promotes your ability to care for yourself once treatment has been completed and enables you to benefit from the team’s expertise as required.
The telephone service is open Monday-Friday, 8.30am-16:30pm and will be answered by a Macmillan Cancer Support Worker. This may not be the gynaecology support worker, but others will contact the team. If your call is not answered immediately, please leave your name, hospital number and a short message and your call will be returned as soon as possible.
Finally
If you are worried about something to do with your cancer diagnosis, or the treatment that you have had for it, please contact your clinical nurse specialist team. They would rather see you with something that turns out to be nothing, than for you to be at home worrying. They are there to help you, so please call if they have any questions or concerns.
Further Information and Useful Contacts
Patient Navigator
01932 726856
Monday- Friday 8.30-16:30
Email:
Macmillan Cancer Support
Free helpline: 0808 808 0000
Daily 8.00-20:00
https://www.macmillan.org.uk
CREST Cancer Support Charity
Tel: 01784 446298
https://www.crestcancer.org.uk
Welfare and Benefits Advisor - Macmillan Citizens Advice Service
For help and support with anything from blue badges, food banks, benefits and liaising with housing, call the dedicated helpline for people in Hampshire and Surrey on 0344 847 7727
