Cancer service

Cancer

Cancer is a condition where cells in a specific part of the body grow and reproduce uncontrollably. The cancerous cells can invade and destroy surrounding healthy tissue, including organs.

One in two people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime. There are more than 200 different types of cancer, and each is diagnosed and treated in a particular way.

Further information about the signs and symptoms of cancer, reducing cancer risk and treatment can be found on the NHS website cancer pages.

Cancer treatment at Colchester Hospital

Clinics and treatments take place at several locations in the hospital:

• main outpatients department
• the Collingwood Centre Collingwood Centre Accessibility information from AccessAble
  
• the breast unit in Gainsborough wing
• the Turner Centre
• the Constable unit
• the radiotherapy department
• mobile chemotherapy unit

Cancer patients who need to stay in hospital are cared for on West Bergholt ward.

Cancer treatment at Ipswich Hospital

Clinics and treatments take place at several locations in the hospital:

• main outpatients department
• gynaecology clinic
• the Woolverstone Wing, entrance 15 North end of the hospital Woolverstone Wing Accessibility information from AccessAble

Cancer patients who need to stay in hospital are cared for on Somersham ward.

Cancer treatment closer to your home

Some treatments such as chemotherapy are offered at our community hospitals in Aldeburgh, Clacton and Felixstowe and there is a mobile chemotherapy unit which visits areas in North East Essex.  Your specialist nurse will be able to tell you if you can receive some of your treatment closer to your home.

Cancer sites

There are many different types of cancer, each with its own treatment or treatments.  Depending on the type of cancer you have, there might be more than one way to treat you.