What standards of care do I have a right to expect?

Cancer Relief Macmillan have produced two new leaflets to help raise awareness of Gynaecological Cancers. These were launched on November 4th, and should by now be widely available in Doctors Surgeries. The first leaflet, called Staying Well, Gynaecological Health, gives information on screening, and symptoms to be aware of, for cervical, ovarian and vulval cancers. The second leaflet, called Gynaecological Cancers, How to help yourself, is a guide for those already suffering from one of the above cancers, and gives facts on gynaecological cancers, as well as questions that you should be asking, as follows:

Standards of Care
(as agreed by the British Gynaecological Cancer Society)

Six key questions you should ask

Will I have:

1. The opportunity of a prompt referral to a consultant-led team specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of gynaecological cancer?
2. Full discussion about options such as surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy before treatment starts?
3. Surgery performed by a gynaecologist who has a special interest in gynaecological cancers?
4. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy undertaken by staff with a special interest in gynaecological cancer?
5. Access to a specialist nurse or counsellor and a symptom control (palliative care) team?
6. Information on support services for myself and my partner?