Anna Mcguire

Anna McGuire is one of our Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists. For the past 10 years she has been working with patients with upper gastrointestinal cancer.

Anna normally meets patients at the time of their diagnosis and is a constant support throughout their cancer care.

She is responsible for ensuring that the patients and those closest to them understand their test and treatment options, as well as addressing any concerns or worries they may have.

At any one time Anna and the small team of upper GI CNSs are supporting more than 100 patients and as a result their days can be very varied and at times, unpredictable.

“We have to put our patients at the centre of our work,” said the experienced nurse.

“Nobody wants to experience cancer, but we are in a position where we can make a real difference to their journey.

“We take the time to get to know patients’ individual needs and work out how much they want to know or how much input they want to have.

“This job can be incredibly challenging, but just knowing that you are making a difference makes it all worthwhile.”

Anna explained that the hardest part of her job is when she has to break bad news, whether that is delivering the original diagnosis, explaining to a patient that their cancer has returned or that their treatment is no longer working.

“The best part is obviously when a patient is ending treatment, whether they have finished chemotherapy or recovered from surgery,” she said.

“It can also be when they have reached an acceptance level and are living with their cancer and are having a good quality of life. This could be through the correct pain management or if they have decided that they don’t want any more treatment and they are ok with that.”