Publish date: 4 September 2023
A specialist service at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, which is providing life-extending treatment to patients with spinal cancer, is due to be held up as an example to other hospital trusts across the country.
The Clatterbridge model of early detection, rapid intervention and education – part funded by the Cancer Alliance – should be emulated across all services in England and Wales, new guidance from the medical body NICE is expected to say when it is published soon.
Local GPs and hospitals across Cheshire and Merseyside have been trained by the 13-person Metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) team to spot early warning signs, such as bladder or bowel dysfunction, difficulty walking, numbness and back pain, and are aware of the importance of carrying out urgent MRI scans when red flags are detected. A hotline is available for advice and support.
Spinal cancer often leads to double incontinence, paralysis, and death within 30 days, making urgent treatment crucial. The service operates around the clock, with emergency specialists identifying and treating patients as quickly as possible.
It has improved the average patient’s survival rate by six months and enhanced their quality of life.
As a result, new guidelines are being developed for helping people with spinal cancer, incorporating data collected by The Clatterbridge service. The hope is that this model of early detection, rapid intervention and education will be adopted throughout England and Wales.
For a BBC report on the service, see: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-66668340