Cancer treatment
We offer treatment for all of the most common cancers - breast cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer and bowel cancer. We also see patients with lung, gynaecological, and blood cancers, as well as a few patients with less common cancers or cancers of unknown origin.
Which treatments are available at Oaks?
There are many different types of cancer treatment, all with the same aim of removing the cancerous cells. The treatment that you have will depend on the type of cancer you have and the stage it’s at. Some people with cancer will have only one treatment but most will have a combination of treatments with your consultant working as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide a fully integrated treatment plan for you.
Choose a cancer type below for more specific treatment information:
Surgery
Surgery is a common treatment option used to remove the tumour and surrounding tissue. The removed tissue will be sent for laboratory analysis and your consultant will use the results to help decide whether further treatment, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy, is needed. As a private patient, surgery will happen as quickly as possible after the decision has been made (normally within one week).
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is sometimes given orally as a tablet but often you will need to attend hospital to the medication injected directly into a vein.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses high-energy x-rays to treat cancer, with almost half of all people with cancer having radiotherapy as part of their treatment plan. Radiotherapy is available at our sister hospital Springfield Hospital, in nearby Chelmsford.
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy works by lowering the levels of hormones in your body or by stopping their effects. For example, prostate cancer in particular needs testosterone to grow.
Complementary and alternative therapies
Complementary therapies can be used alongside conventional treatments to manage the symptoms of cancer or side effects of your cancer treatment. Treatments include acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage therapy and yoga.
