Three nurses in uniform in front of a bright purple wall with colourful artwork. Two of the nurses have striped navy and white tunic tops. The one in the middle has a red tunic top. They all wear navy trousers
(l-r) TYA CNS Clare Warburton, Lead TYA Nurse Laura
Elder, Early Diagnosis TYA CNS Kathryn Davies

A unique specialist service supporting teenagers and young adults referred for hospital tests because they have symptoms that could be cancer has been shortlisted for a major national nursing award. 

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Liverpool is the only hospital in the UK piloting a dedicated Early Diagnosis Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) service for 16- to 24-year-olds facing a potential cancer diagnosis. 

Cancer is relatively rare in young people – only around 2,400 of them are diagnosed each year in the UK – and it can be a difficult process for them, their families and friends and the health professionals looking after them. 

At least 88 different types of cancer can affect teenagers and young adults. These cancers can be very aggressive – making faster diagnosis even more important – but different cancers have vastly different symptoms, some of which are vague (e.g. tiredness) or can also be signs of more common health conditions. 

It means diagnosis can be complicated and young people may end up making multiple visits to doctors or different hospitals over time.

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre’s Early Diagnosis TYA service aims to change all that by supporting young people having tests for possible cancer with their own dedicated TYA clinical nurse specialist (CNS), who is there with them every step of the way.

The Early Diagnosis TYA clinical nurse specialist (CNS) acts as an advocate for young people and their families. She can go with them to appointments at different hospitals, be a friendly and supportive ear, chase up test results, make sure the young person’s voice is heard and help them find out what’s wrong, whether it turns out to be cancer or not. 

For those who are diagnosed with cancer, she can also accompany them to their first appointment at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and introducing them to their consultant, their TYA cancer CNS and the rest of the team providing their care. 

The service is being piloted with young people aged 16 to 24 who have been referred to Liverpool University Hospitals or Wirral University Teaching Hospital for tests for potential cancer. The pilot is funded by Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance.

Now after fantastic feedback from young people and their families – as well as reducing diagnosis time for many patients – the service has been shortlisted for the Nursing Times Ingrid Fuchs Cancer Nursing Award 2024. The team will find out in October if they have won. 

Laura Elder is the Lead TYA Nurse at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, which provides the specialist cancer service for people aged 16 to 24 in Cheshire and Merseyside, the Isle of Man and surrounding areas. 

“Facing cancer is tough at any age but it can be particularly challenging for young people,” Laura said. “Many tell us that the worst time of all was waiting to find out what was wrong – they knew something didn’t feel right but didn’t have any answers and sometimes spent months having different appointments and tests in different places. 

The Early Diagnosis TYA CNS is a constant thread throughout – someone who understands what they are going through and is there for them through all their appointments. It’s made a real difference, significantly improving young people’s experience and helping those with cancer to be diagnosed sooner.

Kathryn Davies joined The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre a year ago to take up the new role of Early Diagnosis TYA CNS. “It’s incredibly rewarding to be supporting people in this way. Everyone’s needs are different and they have a huge range of ages and life experience – some are still at school, some have children of their own. 

It’s important that, whatever age you are, you know that you’ll be taken seriously if you have symptoms that could be cancer and that you’ll get the tests, diagnosis and any treatment you need. My role is to help all of that happen and support young people and their families find out whether or not they have cancer.