Colorectal

We offer specialist treatments in early colon cancer with a supporting Polyp MDT, early rectal cancer treatments, advanced/recurrent rectal cancer and we work closely with Saint Mary’s genetic service for patients who are found to have genetic bowel cancers.

Our cancer team treats three types of colorectal (bowel) cancer:
1. Small intestine
2. Colon (large intestine)
3. Rectal cancers (cancer of the rectum).

We offer the latest types of surgical treatments such as robotic surgery.

Sometimes colorectal cancer spreads to the liver. If so, we can sometimes perform liver and bowel surgery at the same time and that surgery takes place at the Manchester Royal Infirmary.

Sometimes colorectal cancer spreads to the lung. If so, it is sometimes possible to perform lung surgery to remove the tumour and that surgery takes place at Wythenshawe Hospital by our lung specialists.

We receive referrals from across Greater Manchester for these services.

We look after patients with an inherited form of bowel cancer. All colorectal cancer patients have their cancer checked for genetic (inherited) causes.

If a patient’s bowel is blocked by a cancer, we often offer a stenting service to help relieve the blockage by opening the bowel.

We have an active research team and recruit patients to National and Regional research trials.

Treatments provided

We provide services to diagnose cancer. These may include scans and endoscopy (tube and camera tests). These tests usually take place at Wythenshawe Hospital. Sometimes they happen at other hospitals.

Major surgery is carried out at Wythenshawe Hospital.

When our patients need chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment, this happens at The Christie Hospital under the care of an oncology doctor.

Patients who are having surgery are referred to Surgery School to meet the specialists that will look after them in hospital and to help prepare them for an operation.  Some will also be referred to a prehabilitation service. This helps you get ready for the operation using exercise and healthy lifestyle advice and this programme continues after the patient recovers from the operation.

Our team

There are seven surgeons in the team.

  • Miss Karen Telford
  • Ms Gemma Faulkner
  • Mr Abhiram Sharma
  • Mrs Sarah Duff
  • Mr Chris Smart
  • Professor Deena Harji
  • Professor Laura Hancock

Their secretaries can be contacted on the below phone numbers:

  • Miss Telford/ Ms Faulkner – Sec: Julie – 0161 291 6654
  • Mr Sharma/ Mrs Duff – Sec: Margaret – 0161 291 6655
  • Mr Smart/ Professor Harji- Sec: Tracey – 0161 291 6657
  • Professor Hancock – Sec: Maxine – 0161 291 6123

We work closely with oncologists (chemotherapy/radiotherapy doctors) from the Christie hospital.

We provide Nurse led clinics for rapid access referrals.

The CNS (Macmillan Cancer clinical nurse specialist) team consists of three qualified nurses and two Macmillan Cancer Care support workers. They cover the Wythenshawe Colorectal cancer service and help look after patients before and after surgical treatment and for our patients who are living with bowel cancer.

Macmillan Colorectal CNS contact details:

  • 0161 291 6174
  • Email address –mft@nhs.net

Macmillan Cancer Care Coordinator contact details:

  • 0161 291 6191

There is also a Stoma nursing team. They support patients in hospital and at home with their stoma care.

The South Manchester stoma nurse telephone number is: 0161 529 6934.

The Trafford stoma nurse telephone number is: 0161 746 2323

Personalised cancer care

All patients are offered a holistic need assessment (HNA). One of our team will meet with the patient to discuss all their concerns and write a personalised care plan.

Patients will be referred to support services and community nursing teams if needed.

At the end of their treatment patients will be offered a treatment summary. This tells them about their follow up plan. It also gives advice on health and wellbeing, and signs and symptoms to watch out for.

Follow up care

After treatment, there are three ways that patients might be followed up:

  1. Consultant led clinics.
  2. Nurse-led clinics – usually over the telephone.
  3. PFSU (Personalised Stratified Follow-up). This is follow-up where all monitoring and tests are ordered remotely without needing to see the Colorectal team. However, patients have direct access to see or speak to the team if needed.

Follow up for colorectal cancer lasts for five years after diagnosis and treatment.