What do we do?
The Gynaecology Oncology Service at Saint Mary's hospital is a key member of the North East Sector Specialist Gynaecololgy multi-disciplinary team. The team also includes members of Gynaecology Oncology services at Royal Oldham Hospital, Trafford General Hospital, Tameside General Hospital, North Manchester General Hospital, Fairfield Hospital Bury, Rochdale Infirmary, and the Christie Hospital. Together the team forms the regional centre for diagnosing and treating gynaecological cancers in the Greater Manchester and Cheshire Cancer Network.

The service provided at St. Mary's hospital includes diagnosis of pre-cancers and gynaecological cancer as well as surgical treatments of gynaecological cancers.

The team works closely with the non-surgical consultants at the Christie hospital (radiotherapy & chemotherapy) ensuring correct management of the cancers and efficient appointments.

Gynaecological cancers include cancer of the ovary, cervix, vagina, vulva, uterus and fallopian tubes. Click here to view a diagram of the ovaries, cervix, vagina, uterus and fallopian tubes. Click here to view a diagram of the vulva.

As an academic unit linked to the University of Manchester the centre is involved in several research studies.

Who are we? back to top of page
Key members of the team (* denotes based at the Christie)

Professor 

G Jayson *

What if I think I might have a gynaecological cancer? / What to look out for
back to top of page
If you are worried that you are at high risk of ovarian cancer because of your family history you can find out more by clicking here.

If you are worried that you might have a gynaecological cancer, you should go and see your family doctor (GP) as soon as possible. Your GP will then decide whether you should be sent to see a doctor who specialises in gynaecological cancers.

The Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer is a guide for doctors, to help ensure that the patient is seen quickly if the doctor thinks he or she may have cancer. Information about the guidelines can be seen by clicking here

You will also find information about what to look out for, and tests that may be carried out if your doctor thinks you might have a gynaecological cancer.

Referral criteria and contact procedures back to top of page
All urgent referrals should be faxed to the booking centre by the patient's GP on 0161 443 0632 using the urgent referral form.

Clinic days and times back to top of page

(4th Monday of month)

Ward Information back to top of page
If you require further investigations as an in-patient or minor surgery you will be admitted to ward SM10 (at St Mary's hospital)

If you require major surgery you will be admitted to ward SM9 (St Mary's hospital)

Treatment back to top of page
The treatment for cancer is decided on an individual basis, so the treatment may not be the same for everyone.

The treatment given will depend on:

• The type of cancer and where it is
• If it has spread
• The general health of the person with cancer
• The wishes of the person with cancer

The doctor will discuss treatment options with the person with cancer and help them decide which is the best one for them. The opportunity to take part in a clinical trial, where a new treatment is tested, may also be offered. For more information about treatments for cancer click here.

A lot of people with cancer worry that if they go to the Christie Hospital for treatment it means their cancer must be worse. This is not true. Many of the teams at Central Manchester work closely with the doctors at the Christie Hospital. This means that some people go to the Christie Hospital for treatment not because their cancer is worse but because that is where the doctors are based. All patients needing radiotherapy go to the Christie Hospital. This is because that is where the radiotherapy machines are.

Support back to top of page

Any woman who is being investigated or is diagnosed with a gynae cancer may experience fear and anxiety about the whole process, treatement and prognosis. It is therefore very important to have a contact person for support.

The gynae cancer nurse specialist service provides women and their family/friends with a contact if they require information and advice about their diagnosis and treatment. She will also address concern related to premature menopause, effects on sexuality and fertility.

There are many different types of self-help and support groups. They may be set up by people who wanted help to cope with their illness or treatment, or by professionals. The activities they offer may vary. For example, some hold informal get togethers or structured meetings with activities and speakers. Some groups may produce a newsletter, offer telephone or internet support, befriending and home or hospital visiting.

The authors of this site do not endorse any particular groups, and anyone looking for a support group is advised to find out more about the group, including who runs it, what it offers and what its aims are.

Cancerbackup
3 Bath Place
Rivington Street
London
EC2A 3JR
www.cancerbackup.org.uk

Macmillan Cancer Support
0808 808 2020
www.macmillan.org.uk

NHS Direct
Telephone service: 0845 46 47
Textphone 0845 606 46 47
NHS Direct Online www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

24 hour confidential nurse advice and health information telephone service with access to interpreters
Online information

Jo's Trust - Fighting Cervical Cancer
Pamela Morton
Tel:01327 341965
Fax.No: 01327 349397
web site www.jotrust.co.uk
email pamela@jotrust.co.uk

Ovacome (for all those involved in ovarian cancer, inc. patients, carers, families etc.)
St Bartholomew's Hospital
West Smithfield
London EC1A 7BE
Tel 020 7600 5141 (Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
web site www.ovacome.org.uk
email ovacome@ovacome.org.uk

Gynae C (for women with any gynae cancer, their partners, families & friends)
Tel: 01793 491116
Website: Gynae C
E-mail: Gynae_C@yahoo.com
Support for women with gynaecological cancer. Telephone helpline run by women affected by gynae cancer. Ansaphone when not manned. Also support by e-mail.

Radical Vulvectomy Support Group
01977 640 243 (highly confidential telephone support)

V.A.C.O. (Vulva Awareness Charity Organisation)
Tel 0161 747 5911 (highly confidential telephone support)
Website: www.vaco.co.uk
email carolvaco2003@yahoo.co.uk

Cancer Aid and Listening Line
Helpline providing a confidential service for people with cancer, their families and friends, run by trained volunteers with personal experience of cancer. offers a listening ear and emotional support
Telephone: 0845 123 23 29
Website www.canceraid.co.uk

For more information about support for people affected by cancer please go to our support page via this link

Useful links (click on the link to take you to the information)

Cancerhelp on vulval cancer

Cancerhelp information on cervical cancer

Cancerhelp information on ovarian cancer

Cancerbackup - Understanding cancer of the cervix

Cancerbackup - Understanding cancer of the womb

Cancerbackup - Understanding cancer of the vulva