We are delighted to welcome Gail Williams, Macmillan’s first Secondary Breast Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Wales to Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
Cwm Taf Morganwwg UHB welcomes Gail to CTM and shares an interview with Macmillan Cancer Care.
Secondary breast cancer is when cancer cells from a cancer that started in the breast spread to other parts of the body. It can also be called metastatic breast cancer and advanced breast cancer.
Secondary breast cancer can be controlled, often for many years, but it cannot be cured. New and improved treatments mean that women and men with secondary breast cancer are living for longer, but it is a complex diagnosis where patients can be affected by a number of health problems, but often a major concern for the patient is facing cancer again.
Gail has been a nurse for 37 years and is a very experienced cancer CNS. Gail brings her expertise to this crucial role that provides skilled and personalised care, improving the experience of both cancer patients and her cancer workforce colleagues.
We caught up with Gail at the newly opened Snowdrop Breast Centre at the Gwan Elai Health Park, just alongside the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant:
What is the best part about your role as a CNS?
“Knowing you are in some way enabling a person to take some control over what is happening to them. Having the opportunity to build a relationship with that person and their family which allows them to build confidence the teams looking after them is a privilege.
"To see someone being able to communicate their needs and importantly be part of decisions about what is happening to them because of something that you have done prior to that meeting, is what makes me feel good about what I do.”
What moment has defined your career as a CNS?
“I don't think there has been one moment. I have been very fortunate to have had many opportunities to develop services that have supported the improvements in the treatments of Cancer in my career. These have undoubtedly helped me to achieve where I am today.
"For those who know me I am passionate about what I do. So many times, people have said to me, “I couldn't do the job that you do, it must be really sad,” and of course it is as I know from personal experience. Cancer can happen to any one of us, the experience is unique and as such I ask; is this the way I like to be treated by the people looking after me? ‘What would I want?’
“It is a humbling experience to be there supporting someone at such a distressing time. There are not many careers that remind us how important living a good and meaningful life is."
What would you say to someone who is considering a career as a CNS?
"For me it has been one of the most focused and rewarding roles that I have held, although you have a large amount of autonomy this can be tough at times, being part of a team that share the same goals aimed at improving the care and treatment of Breast cancer means everything.
"Whilst the role can involve challenging conversations there is a great deal of respect and support to be given and received within the team, I think it’s important to remember, you can only be effective if you have people around you sharing the same goals."
You are the first Macmillan Secondary Breast Cancer CNS in Wales. What does that mean to you, and what are the challenges and opportunities that this new role brings?
“I'm just so excited to have been given this opportunity to develop this service. I have spent many years supporting the Campaign for improvements in care of people with Secondary breast cancer. I have so many ideas for the service that have come from my involvement in user groups of the breast cancer services and many years of providing clinical support to women and men that have been living with a Secondary breast cancer diagnosis."
Macmillan has established a specialist ‘Inthis2gether’ group which offers online and face-to-face advice and support and which also acts as an advocacy group for secondary breast cancer patients across the south east, south west and north of Wales. If you would like to know more, please contact info@heart2hartsolutions.co.uk.
If you have questions about secondary breast cancer, please visit the Macmillan website for further information.
Our Macmillan Online Community also has a Secondary Breast Cancer forum. This is an online support group for people with secondary breast cancer (Metastatic Breast Cancer/Advanced Breast Cancer) and their loved ones. It is a space to join to meet others and share experiences and emotional support.
28/04/2023