North Cumbria’s NHS is celebrating the role cancer nurse specialists play in supporting patients every day.
Yesterday was National Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist Day.
Cancer nurse specialists are experts in their field and are pivotal in the co-ordination and delivery of personalised care and they offer both physical and emotional support.
Someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer every 75 seconds – nearly 1,200 every day – so the demand for supporting cancer patients is ever-increasing.
Selina Keenan is a metastatic breast cancer nurse specialist at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Cumberland Infirmaey in Carlisle and Whitehaven’s West Cumberland Hospital.
With a background in oncology nursing, general medicine and respiratory, palliative care and district nursing, Selina started her current role in November 2024.
She said: “My role is a new position at the trust so I have visited colleagues at other trusts to learn from their experiences which has been really useful.
“I have a really busy role with around 160-170 patients across the Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital. I do ward reviews, breast clinics and occasionally home visits when required.
“I am also passionate about making sure we have patient support groups in place, with a new group recently starting at Whitehaven Golf Club for secondary breast care patients.
“It is important to me that I can provide personalised care as every patient’s needs and wants are different.”
Victoria Hendren, 40, is one of Selina’s patients who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in January 2025.
Victoria said: “I honestly couldn’t have done the last 12 months without Selina. I message her and call her and she sorts any issues I have out. I have had numerous issues over and above my cancer including sepsis and Covid and Selina has supported me through it all.
“I am currently having more treatment and I am very glad that Selina is there for me. I am not exaggerating when I say she is my ‘lifesaver’ and I would like to thank her for everything she does for me.”
Sarah Morley, 43, is also one of Selina’s patients. Sarah was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in June 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and when her daughter, Ava, was only eight months old.
Sarah’s cancer had already spread to her lungs, liver and bones when she was diagnosed.
Sarah said she felt ‘on her own’ as she didn’t have a cancer nurse specialist until Selina started in her role.
In October 2024, Sarah discovered the cancer had spread to her brain and she started seeing Selina after she had brain surgery in Newcastle.
Sarah said: “I honestly don’t know how I managed without Selina, she is my port of call for everything.
“She makes sure she chases up results for me and that everything is in place before I attend an appointment.
“During periods when I have been unwell and admitted to A&E, Selina has met me there and explained my story to the A&E team. I am currently stable and continuing with treatment. I am grateful to have Selina’s continued support.”
Kiyla Murray, lead cancer nurse at the trust, said:” The new 10-year cancer plan reaffirms how central cancer nurse specialists are to the care of people living with cancer.
“Since Selina started in her role, she has shaped and created her own service for the benefit of our patients.
“This is an opportunity to thank our wonderful team for their commitment to what is a really challenging role but also such an important role. The difference our team can make to our patients’ cancer journeys cannot be underestimated.”
