The Pelvic Radiation Disease Association has been working with leading UK experts in late effects of pelvic radiotherapy to produce the first ever Pelvic Radiation Disease (PRD) Best Practice Pathway. This important document guides the management of almost all aspects of PRD and supports the development of better services and pathways.
Join us on Saturday 1st October 2022 for a morning of presentations and discussions focused around this ground-breaking publication.
We will be launching the Pathway document as a resource for any healthcare professional who may have a role in caring for someone with symptoms of PRD. We also want to raise awareness of the effects of PRD on people’s lives, the range of symptoms and problems caused by PRD, and effective ways to manage them.
To make the conference accessible, tickets are non-chargeable. We would, however, encourage those delegates who are able to make a suggested donation of £20 to the Pelvic Radiation Disease Association. This contribution will help to fund our work giving a voice to people living with Pelvic Radiation Disease, and in sharing the Best Practice Pathway as widely as possible.
Detailed event information
The programme will include talks from leading specialists in late effects of cancer treatment. As well as introducing the Best Practice Pathway document as a comprehensive tool for any health professional, the event will enable attendees to learn about management of significantly under-recognised elements of Pelvic Radiation Disease such as genital lymphoedema, endocrine symptoms, and the effects of radiotherapy on pelvic bone and vascular health. Psychological health is a key thread running throughout the programme.
The event will conclude with a 30 minute expert panel session to allow attendees to submit questions on Pelvic Radiation Disease, and to foster a debate on how the UK moves forward in improving care and treatment for people affected by Pelvic Radiation Disease.
The Pelvic Radiation Disease Best Practice Pathway includes chapters for identifying and managing the following issues/symptoms that arise in people after pelvic radiotherapy: Mental health and wellbeing; Gastrointestinal; Urinary; Pain; Sexual difficulties; Lymphoedema; Bone; Endocrine; Lumbar Plexopathy; Vascular and Skin.
Conference agenda
10:00: Introduction and housekeeping - Dr Ben Sacks, Trustee, Pelvic Radiation Disease Association
10:05: Opening remarks - Prof Sara Faithfull ,Visiting Professor, University of Surrey; Adjunct Professor, Trinity College Dublin; Lead for Living With and Beyond Cancer Late Consequences workstream, National Cancer Research Institute
10:10: Living with Pelvic Radiation Disease - Volunteer with PRD in conversation with Catherine Sharma, Information and Support Radiographer, Nottingham Late Effects Service
10:30: Why we need a Best Practice Pathway for Pelvic Radiation Disease - Dr Louise Hanna, Consultant Clinical Oncologist - Gynaecological and Lung cancer, Velindre Cancer Centre, Cardiff
10:40: Using the Best Practice Pathway - Prof Diana Greenfield, Macmillan Consultant Nurse in Late Effects of Cancer Treatment; Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Honorary Professor in Cancer Survivorship, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield; Honorary Professor, Sheffield Hallam University
11.00: Conclusion of part one - Dr Ben Sacks
BREAK – 10 MINUTES
11:10: Introduction to part two - Bhumi Shah, Trustee, Pelvic Radiation Disease Association
11:15: Managing the psychological effects of Pelvic Radiation Disease - Dr Hilly Webb-Peploe, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
11:30: Managing Lymphoedema after pelvic radiotherapy - Margaret Sneddon, Chair, British Lymphology Society and Dr Rhian Noble-Jones, Senior Lecturer in Lymphoedema, University of Glasgow; Chartered Physiotherapist; Chair, Scientific Committee of the British Lymphology Society
11.45: Managing cardiovascular problems after pelvic radiotherapy - Dr Arjun Ghosh, Consultant cardiologist and lead for cardio-oncology services, University College London Hospital and Barts Heart Centre; Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer at University College London and Queen Mary University of London
12:00: Managing bone and endocrine problems after pelvic radiotherapy - Dr Claire Higham, Consultant Endocrinologist, Christie NHS Foundation Trust
12:15: Panel discussion about the future of care for Pelvic Radiation Disease in the UK - Chair: Prof Sara Faithfull
12:45: Closing comments - Dr Ben Sacks
13:00 : Close