How Royal Surrey supports its patients: Breast Cancer Awareness Month | News
How Royal Surrey supports its patients: Breast Cancer Awareness Month
In the 1990s, more than 1 in 7 people died from breast cancer. Today, it’s 1 in 20. At Royal Surrey, it’s the second most treated cancer with over 2,700 treatments in the 12 months up to September 2026.
Treatment is provided by a large team of professionals from different disciplines who work incredibly hard to provide the best possible care to patients. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and the teams have been running events to emphasise the importance of checking for symptoms and highlighting the services offered at Royal Surrey.
Most referrals to the hospital come via GPs to the ‘One Stop Breast Clinic’ for examination, imaging and a biopsy if necessary. Our teams run three of these clinics every week, providing 87 new appointments.
Depending on results, patients will then be supported by one or more of our specialist teams. Olga Sueros-Velarde, Lead Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist, said: “Our multidisciplinary breast teams at Royal Surrey are truly dedicated to the management and care of people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.”
- The Oncoplastic Breast Surgical team works closely with the primary breast clinical nurse specialists (CNSs). Apart from performing breast surgery for breast cancer, the Breast Surgical team runs the Regional Gene Carrier Service.
- The Breast Radiology team works with the breast surgeons to provide a successful One Stop Clinic service for patients referred via the two-week rule and symptomatic pathways. The team also does extra tests on the breasts if needed, using our state-of-the-art contrast enhanced mammography equipment and scans to see if the cancer has spread.
- The Primary Breast CNSs support patients from diagnosis, through treatment and follow-up. They also run a number of nurse-led clinics, such as the Family History, Treatment Induced Symptoms, Prosthetic, Oncoplastic Wound Clinic and SSMFU (Supported Self-Management Follow-Up) service.
- The Secondary Breast CNSs provide expert clinical and emotional support for patients living with secondary breast cancer. Through one-to-one guidance, referrals to specialist services and charities, and supportive coffee mornings, the team helps patients and their families feel informed, connected and supported throughout their long-term cancer journey.
- The Breast Oncology team has medical oncologists and clinical oncologists who are supported by registrars, an advanced nurse practitioner, a clinical pharmacist practitioner, and three oncology/secondary breast clinical nurse specialists. They manage the chemotherapy, immunotherapy, endocrine therapy and radiotherapy for patients with primary and secondary breast cancer. The team cares for patients diagnosed at Royal Surrey but also at Frimley Park, Ashford and St Peter’s, and East Surrey and Crawley Hospitals.
- The Breast Histopathology team works together to deliver accurate and timely diagnostic results to meet faster diagnosis standards, leading the way in improving the quality of diagnostic tests.
Royal Surrey is the home of the Regional Breast Gene Carrier Service for those patients who’re identified as carrying a breast cancer gene. The Service runs a monthly clinic that brings together genetic counsellors, breast cancer specialist nurses, a clinical psychologist, gynaecologists, plastic surgeons and oncoplastic breast surgeons to support these people and help them reduce their risk of developing breast cancer. It’s also the only Trust in the region that offers a full Family History Assessment Service.
Innovating and research
The teams are committed to leading innovation in breast cancer care and are piloting a bespoke digital platform for remote patient monitoring. The initiative aims to improve clinical productivity while providing patients with more personalised, convenient care and support.
The Trust also has an ongoing commitment to research through Royal Surrey’s Oncology Research team who run multiple breast cancer trials at any one time, with vital support from our patients. The trials, which aim to test the safety and effectiveness of new treatments, are mostly national or international research initiated by universities, other specialist hospitals and pharma lasting sometimes up to ten years.
Felicity Paterson, Consultant Oncologist and Joint Chief of Royal Surrey’s Oncology Service said:
“Breast cancer is not just one condition but has several different subtypes. Personalising therapy for each type of breast cancer starts with research trials. At Royal Surrey we are proud to be involved with a wide range of trials providing personalised care and a unique opportunity to our patients. We are incredibly grateful to all those who take part; by sharing their experiences and taking part in research, they’re helping to change the shape of future breast cancer care."
Breast Cancer Awareness month, held every year in October, is an opportunity to flag to people of all ages, one simple message: check, check and check again.
For further information go to our Breast cancer web pages, Breast Cancer Now or Coppafeel!
Two patients have shared their story of diagnosis and treatment.