Blog

Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist Day - Siobhan Dixon

Can you introduce yourself and your job role?

Hello, my name is Siobhan Dixon, and I am the Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP) Clinical Nurse Specialist.

CUP means when a patient has had a scan which reveals secondary cancer (spread/metastases) but no primary. They will be referred into the CUP team in order to undergo further investigations such as further scans, blood tests and biopsies which sometimes gives us a primary diagnosis. If we achieve a primary diagnosis, we will refer onto that specific tumour group.

Can you give us an overview of your key day-to-day-duties?

My day-to-day duties are as follow:

• Ensuring all investigations for my patients are requested and done within a timely manner in order to meet the 2-week wait pathway criteria.
• Follow up patient phone calls to check they understand where they are at in their pathway and ensure they are ok and have community support.
• When in NSECH (which is currently two times per week) I will review new referrals. Any patient who is found to have metastatic cancer on a scan with no obvious primary is referred to us and I will meet the patient, understand their wishes and performance status and give them my contact details so they have a point of contact whilst they are undergoing further investigations.
• Attend the Cancer MDT each week which may generate further referrals or tests
• Facilitate onward referrals to community support, other tumour group MDTs, psychological support
• Complete holistic needs assessments in order to support the patient

Why did you want to become a clinical nurse specialist?

I have always had an interest in oncology, and I found this CNS job would enable me to explore that interest as well as be part of the beginning stages of a cancer diagnosis. There are parts of this job which can be difficult but overall, when you make a difference in someone’s most vulnerable time it is very rewarding.

What’s the most rewarding thing about your role?

• Sometimes this is achieving a diagnosis for a patient and referring them onto their specific tumour group team.
• I have received praise in the past for being that point of contact throughout the most difficult time when they are awaiting biopsy confirmation of their cancer. Patient’s knowing they have someone to talk to can really help in their times of uncertainty.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of becoming a clinical nurse specialist?

It is a very rewarding job but can also be quite overwhelming due to the nature of the patient’s and their diagnosis. I personally find this rewarding when I am able to make a difference however others may find this difficult. I have worked on a ward since qualifying as a nurse and this is a different type of nursing role but definitely worth it and valuable if you have an interest in oncology and making a difference in someone’s life when there is so much uncertainty.