MWBC Nutrition and Cancer

Macmillan Cancer Specialist Dietitian

 

Macmillan Dietitian Abi Nickless

Macmillan Specialist Dietitian

Abi Nickless

I am a Macmillan Cancer Specialist Dietitian, providing a dietetic service to patients with a diagnosis of cancer. I work as part of the Proactive Project: Personalised Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation for people affected by Cancer. The Proactive Project is a team of allied health professionals, technicians and administrative support. 

How can a dietitian help me?

Dietitians are ‘qualified and regulated health professionals that assess, diagnose, and treat dietary and nutritional problems at an individual and wider public health level’.

‘Dietitian’ is a protected title and are the only legally recognised health professionals who give advice regarding nutrition and dietary intake.

Dietitians translate nutritional science into understandable and practical information tailored to each patient.

We provide personalised and tailored advice for patients with and after a cancer diagnosis which might include

  • Concerns about weight loss
  • Issues with your gastrointestinal system e.g. bowel habits
  • Eating well for the future

Dietetic clinics

Dietetic clinics are run throughout the week to support individuals with nutritional concerns following a cancer diagnosis. This service offers the opportunity for people to self-refer, or to be referred by a professional for 1:1 nutritional advice from a HCPC registered Oncology ( Cancer)  Specialist Dietitian.

Referrals are accepted at any time following a cancer diagnosis, however if we are unable to support your nutritional needs, in some cases your GP may be able to direct you to another dietetic service in your area.

At present we are able to support individuals with the following nutritional concerns:

  • Coping with a poor appetite, or unintentional weight loss
  • Urgent nutritional support for cancer/treatment related side-effects
  • Altered texture diets due to swallowing difficulty
  • Making dietary changes as a result of cancers affecting the digestive tract
  • Managing weight following completion of cancer treatment – acceptance criteria will apply
  • Eating well to support your health for the future

We are NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING patients with a diagnosis of an UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL MALIGNANCY. Please contact your GP for referral to a local dietetic service. 

A variety of support options are available including; face to face appointments (if safe and appropriate to do so), video calls, and telephone support. Self-referral forms are available from the NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre or are also available here: Self-referral form 

MWBC Nutrition and Cancer