Lung cancer and mesothelioma

Lung cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer. There are usually no signs or symptoms in the early stages but symptoms eventually include a persistent cough, coughing up blood and breathlessness.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining that covers the outer surface of some of the body's organs. It mainly affects the lining of the lungs.

Patients with suspected lung cancer are referred to one of our fast-track clinics. Here, the doctor will examine you and might request a number of investigations, including biopsies, scans and ultrasounds.

If you are diagnosed with lung cancer, you will be looked after by one of our specialist nurses. They will help to coordinate your care, from diagnosis to treatment, through to follow-up care. Your nurse will be a familiar face who can provide support for you and your family. They will also provide information on tests, investigation and treatment options, give help and advice on symptom control and act as your link to other professionals and support services.

As part of your treatment, you may require surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

Treatment options will be discussed with you by one of our team but could include:

  • Bronchoscopy
  • Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)
  • Pleural effusion
  • Minimally-invasive thoracic surgery (MITS)
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiotherapy
  • CHART radiotherapy
  • Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
  • Indwelling pleural catheters (IPC)

Contact us

Northern Services

North Devon District Hospital 

Main switchboard on 01271 322577

Lung Cancer Specialist Nurse – 01271 314046 or bleep 461

Martin Peters – Lung Cancer Specialist Nurse
Donna Dean – Lung Cancer Specialist Nurse

The Lung Cancer Specialist Nurses act as keyworkers for patients with known or suspected lung cancer & mesothelioma, providing advice and support in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The CNS’s provide nurse led clinics and telephone support to patients, carers and other HCPs. They also support patients with malignant pleural effusions requiring insertion of PleurX drains.

Eastern Services

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford) 

Main switchboard on 01392 411611

If you would like any advice or support, please contact our specialist nurses on 01392 402168 or rde-tr.LungSpecialistNurses@nhs.net

Where will I be seen?

Northern Services

North Devon District Hospital 

North Devon District Hospital
Raleigh Park
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 4JB

 

Eastern services

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford) 

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford)
Barrack Road
Exeter
EX2 5DW

 

Our clinics run at the following times:

Fast-track lung cancer clinics: Monday afternoons

Oncology clinics: Monday & Thursday afternoons and Wednesday & Friday mornings

Nurse-led follow up clinics: Tuesday afternoons

General respiratory clinics: Daily

Meet the team

Eastern services

If you would like any advice or support, please contact our specialist nurses on 01392 402168 or rde-tr.LungSpecialistNurses@nhs.net

Consultant respiratory physicians:

  • Dr Tom Burden
  • Dr Tom Whitehead
  • Dr Bip Patel
  • Dr Hugh Bakere

Consultant thoracic surgeon:

  • Mr Osama Elzain

Consultant oncologists:

  • Dr Elizabeth Toy
  • Dr Nicole Dorey
  • Dr Vicky Ford
  • Dr Ian Fraser

Lung specialist nurses:

  • Sandra Pope (Lead)
  • Mel Crimmins
  • Leah Slade

The team also includes Anne-Marie Collins, Lung support worker, Paula Perkins, Lung navigator/nodule clinic MDT co-ordinator, and Lydia Oakley, Lung Nurse secretary

 

Services and treatments

The  Macmillan website explains more about the different types of treatments offered.

You can also find out more about the different types of treatment by visiting the NHS website. 

This includes:

  • Surgery
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiotherapy
  • Hormone treatment
  • Targeted therapy

Supporting you

Having cancer can have an impact on every aspect of your life and on those around you. We understand that this is a difficult and often frightening time for you and your loved ones, which is why we have put together a wide range of information to help you live with and beyond cancer.

Some of these services are available locally, whilst others cover Devon and/or the South West Peninsula as a whole. 

Find out more

Patient information leaflets

We produce a wide range of leaflets which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital. 

We also produce these in different formats including large print, please contact the department you are visiting for more information.

Find out more

Useful videos

We have a wide range of videos which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital. 

Find out more

Last updated: November 15, 2022.