To help you find the information you need quickly, our other general leaflets are listed below.
If you cannot find the information you require, please contact our Patient Information Manager: email who will try to assist.
What is breathlessness?
Breathlessness is an unpleasant sensation of uncomfortable, rapid or difficult breathing. It may come on suddenly or gradually over a period of time. The reason for breathlessness is that your body needs more oxygen than it is getting so you breathe faster.
This leaflet provides information about syringe drivers. If this is the first time you have heard of a syringe driver this leaflet will answer some of the questions you may have. If you have questions that we haven’t answered there is space at the back of the leaflet for you to write these down. You can then discuss them with your nurse or doctor. Contact telephone numbers are also provided at the end of the leaflet.
CPR is an emergency intervention that tries to restart your heart and breathing if they stop. This can be a medical emergency but for many it is a natural process at the end of life. CPR is a separate and different intervention to the treatment that you are already receiving.
This leaflet provides information about clinical trials. It explains what clinical trials are and discusses the possible advantages and disadvantages of participating in a trial. Contact telephone numbers for the Clinical Trials Unit are given at the end of the leaflet.
Velindre NHS Trust has the responsibility to offer patients the most effective treatment currently available. This is usually known as standard treatment. We also have an obligation to future patients to help develop new and better treatments.
For people affected by cancer - Information for patients and their families
Easy read information about what is cancer
This leaflet is for people who need to take steroid medication. Some people experience side effects within days so we advise you to read the leaflet to be aware of the possible problems and what you can do.
This leaflet gives information for patients who need to have a chest aspiration. The leaflet will explain what this is and how the procedure is carried out. It also tells you how you will be cared for after the procedure has been done and includes other general information and advice. Some of the words used in this leaflet may be new to you, so we have explained them in a glossary on page 7. Contact telephone numbers are given at the end of the leaflet.
All patients receiving chemotherapy are at risk from flu. Flu immunisation is recommended if you will be receiving chemotherapy during the autumn and winter. Ideally you should be vaccinated 7 – 10 days before your chemotherapy treatment starts. The immunisation may not be as effective if you have already started chemotherapy because your immune response may be lowered. This reduces your body’s ability to form the antibodies needed to protect you from flu.
This leaflet provides information on DPD testing. If you are due to receive 5FU, capecitabine or tegafur chemotherapy as part of your cancer treatment, it will be necessary to have a simple blood test prior to starting treatment. This is to check whether your body is able to breakdown the chemotherapy drugs safely or not. This leaflet will explain why the test is needed in more detail.
This leaflet provides information about the effects of cancer treatment on male fertility. It will explain what infertility is and what options are available to you if you become infertile. Contact telephone numbers and details of how to obtain further information are provided at the end of the leaflet.
This leaflet provides information for patients having a liver biopsy at Velindre Cancer Centre. It will explain what a liver biopsy is and what to expect on the day the biopsy is taken. The leaflet will also tell you about the possible problems that may occur.
This leaflet explains how we will try to follow any personal wishes you have about cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The leaflet will explain what CPR is, how it relates to you and how decisions are made. We know that this is a very sensitive issue. However we feel it is important that you have this information so that you can discuss your wishes with both us and those close to you. We also feel you would want us to be open and honest with you about this.
If you are affected by cancer, you may already know how this impacts on your finances. You or a family member may have extra costs such as travel expenses because you have to go to lots of hospital appointments. You may have to eat more expensive foods to stay healthy in treatment and buy new clothes because your weight has changed. You may need to keep the heating on for longer or at a higher temperature because of the effects of treatment.
Preventing a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) in Hospital
This leaflet provides information for patients having a Hickman line. It will explain what a Hickman line is, and what to expect on the day that the Hickman line is placed. It will tell you how your Hickman line is cared for and what you need to look out for. Contact telephone numbers are given at the end of the leaflet.
What is the mobile unit?
It is a fully equipped mobile treatment area. It is based in Cwmbran, Newport on Thursdays and Nantgarw, Cardiff on Monday’s and Fridays. It is staffed with experienced trained nurses from Velindre Cancer Centre and Tenovus staff.
This leaflet provides information for patients with suspected metastatic spinal cord compression. It will explain what spinal cord compression is and what treatment you will receive at Velindre Cancer Centre. Contact telephone numbers and details of how to obtain further information are given at the end of the leaflet.