Challenges facing cancer care and guidance on prioritising its safe delivery: lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic challenged the NHS to make rapid adjustments to practice to ensure that patients could continue to access vital treatments while reducing the risk of infection. A roundtable discussion was convened, including professionals from cancer care delivery and those working in patient involvement, to discuss experiences during the pandemic and to offer recommendations for the safe transition and implementation of cancer care in the community setting.

Systemic anti-cancer therapy delivery in the home: a service model.

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is a leader in adapting patient care in response to treatment advances and new patient-centred care/efficiency initiatives. Due to extended waiting times in cancer clinics, The Christie developed an at-home treatment service to help reduce the pressure on clinics and improve patient experience. This article provides a detailed examination of the requirements necessary to successfully develop a home service for the delivery of systemic anticancer treatment. The authors discuss the criteria used to identify suitable at-home treatments, as well as necessary resources and equipment. The success of the Christie at Home service was examined using a patient survey to assess the standard of this care. Details are given regarding the challenges of implementing a homecare service and potential future challenges. As an example, systemic treatment with eribulin as a 'Christie at Home' therapy demonstrates the practicalities of introduction of new therapies in a homecare service.

Management and grading of EGFR inhibitor-induced cutaneous toxicity.

Cutaneous toxicities associated with EGFR inhibitors (EGFRIs) have a significant impact on patient treatment continuation, quality of life and healthcare resource utilization. This paper reviews the current prophylaxis and management of EGFRI-induced cutaneous toxicities in patients with colorectal cancer, and combines these findings with the authors' clinical expertise to define a novel algorithm for healthcare professionals managing patients receiving EGFRIs. This tool includes a grading system based on the location, severity and psychological impact, and provides a standard prescription pack, advice on prophylaxis/self-management of cutaneous symptoms for patients initiating EGFRIs, and essential guidance on subsequent review and treatment escalation. It aims to optimize treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer by minimizing cutaneous toxicities to maintain dose intensity and efficacy of EGFRI-based chemotherapy.