Cancer patients & Palliative Care' Study Day

This study day was held at the National Hospital for Neurology, Queen's Square, London. The lecturer was Dr Jacqueline Filshie, Anaesethetist at the Royal Marsden Hospital, & author of  the 'Medical Acupuncture' textbook, & many research papers.

This was a well-thought out study day. The venue was spacious, comfortable & catering was included. Study packs were supplied in part on the day & subsequently topped up by post with lecture notes. Coffee & lunch breaks allowed useful & stimulating  discussions with co-attendees.

Dr Jacquie Filshie is an entertaining & vivacious speaker. A quick overview of  current oncology was covered, with a summary of acupuncture principles.

The day then went on to cover treatment of pain & non-pain symptoms; in cancer survivors & those with advanced disease. Post breast surgery, post radio- & chemotherapy problems including scar/radiotherapy burn pain, & peripheral neuropathy were discussed. Treatment of other pain; & non-pain symptoms; such as nausea & vomiting, xerostomia, dyspnoea, hot flushes, bladder, bowel & vascular problems were also covered.

Jacquie demonstrated technique on 3 patients, one of whom was a classic 'strong reactor' which she used in order to show that his fainting/'deep sleeping' for 10 mins (after needles were inserted & then removed) was safe; & for him provided strong lasting pain relief. Local, distal & segmental spinal points were used.

It was refreshing to attend an acupuncture training day specifically geared at our group of patients; who often have very complex needs, are already on a gamut of pharmacological weaponry, and  frequently have extensive disease.

I found this study day particularly useful and encouraging - there was an ambience of it being ok to 'think outside the box'; - indeed even a necessity with this group of patients, which I had found missing in the some of the more 'outpatient' biased AACP previous courses I have attended. I will look forward to attending more BMAS events.

Sue Eddy,  Specialist Physiotherapist in Palliative Care,

Florence Nightingale Hospice, Aylesbury