Sarah Trollope, Clinical Nurse Specialist
Nurse Sarah Trollope, funded by Morgan Stanley, is on hand to provide age-appropriate advice, care and extra emotional support for those aged 17-24 who are receiving their cancer treatment. She is based at Maidstone Hospital site and also covers Darenth Valley Hospital and Medway Maritime Hospital.
Young people and teenagers from Kent can access the charity’s units at hospitals specialising in cancer treatment in London, but many will receive part, or all, of their treatment at their local hospital, where they are treated in exactly the same way as much older adults.
Sarah explains how her new role will support young people aged 17-24 who are receiving treatment locally:
“I’ve worked in oncology and haematology since 2004, and I’ve seen how younger patients can really struggle in adult settings, so I’m incredibly proud and excited that my new role will help change that.
“Cancer treatment in adult services can be really difficult for teenagers and young people for a whole range of reasons. For example, they can find following complex treatment plans, that often involve appointments at multiple hospitals extremely challenging.
“And having cancer at a young age is particularly difficult emotionally. My new role means that I have more time to sit with them and listen to their worries and concerns, provide advice, and introduce them to other services that can help.
“It can feel quite isolating to have cancer as a young person on an adult ward, so in the future I’d love to start up local groups for young people so that they can meet others facing similar challenges.”
Morgan Stanley is raising over £1m for Teenage Cancer Trust, and alongside Sarah’s post is helping to fund three other new Teenage Cancer Trust nurses who will work across London and the South East.