Patient booklets

The Christie produces a range of patient information that covers various aspects of cancer and cancer treatments.

Booklets are free to patients coming to The Christie and are available from the cancer information centre (department 3). The centre offers a confidential service for anyone affected by cancer. Please call in or contact us by telephone on 0161 446 8100.

We also offer a number of chemotherapy and immunotherapy information sheets about individual systemic anti-cancer treatments.

We've also recreated a limited range of patient booklets digitally below.

Or find it alphabetically:

B

After your skin biopsy [PDF, 104 KB]

This leaflet explains how to take care of your wound(s) when you leave hospital. If you have any questions, please see our contact details on the back page of the leaflet.

Banding of haemorrhoids (piles) [PDF, 110 KB]

Haemorrhoids are prominent clumps of tissue containing blood vessels that lie inside and around the back passage (lower rectum or anus). Banding of haemorrhoids is done by placing a small elastic band around the neck of the haemorrhoid which stops the blood supply.

Basal cell carcinoma [PDF, 103 KB]

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is also known as rodent ulcer. It is the most common type of skin cancer in white-skinned people. It usually occurs on sun-exposed areas of skin in the middle-aged and elderly, but it may grow on any area of skin and can occur in younger people.

You can also read this information in an accessible format on our Basal cell carcinoma page.

Baxter Infusor guide [PDF, 281 KB]

This is a booklet about the Baxter infusor (also called the Baxter pump), a lightweight, disposable device containing chemotherapy used to give a slow, continuous infusion into the bloodstream via a CVC (central venous catheter) or PICC (peripherally inserted central venous catheter).

Bereavement services at The Christie [PDF, 1.03 MB]

The loss of a relative or friend can be a difficult and confusing time with lots of details to sort out - help is available if you need it. This booklet will offer you help and guidance about what to do next.

Bladder filling protocol [PDF, 115 KB]

This is an information sheet for patients who need to follow the bladder filling protocol to ensure their bladder remains the same size throughout their treatment.

Blood test sheet [PDF, 102 KB]

Information sheet about what patients should expect when attending for a blood test to assess hormone levels.

Bone marrow harvest [PDF, 110 KB]

This leaflet is for all patients having a bone marrow harvest and explains what it is and what happens during the harvest. Bone marrow is harvested (taken) from both of your hipbones and, very occasionally, from your sternum (breastbone) using a needle. This takes place in the operating theatre, and you will need to have a general anaesthetic.

Bowen's disease [PDF, 103 KB]

Bowen's disease is a skin lesion that affects the topmost layer (epidermis) of the skin. It appears as a red or brown scaly patch and it is usual to have a single lesion. It most commonly occurs on the lower leg but it can develop on any part of the body. People over the age of 60 are more likely to develop these lesions and they are rare in the under-30 age group.

You can also read this information in an accessible format on our Bowen's disease page.

Breast reconstruction using tissue expanders [PDF, 93 KB]

A tissue expander is like an uninflated balloon made of silicone. It is placed under the skin and muscle of the chest wall in the breast area.

Breast reduction surgery [PDF, 89 KB]

The main benefit of breast reduction surgery is that it can be used to resize and reshape a remaining breast following a mastectomy and/or a previous breast reconstruction. This will improve the symmetry with the remaining breast.

Bringing food and drink into hospital: information for patients, carers and relatives [PDF, 133 KB]

The Christie provides a variety of high quality, safe and nutritious food and drinks to patients in hospital. Great care is taken to provide food which is right for the needs of individual patients.

Choices suitable for all special dietary requirements are available, whether medical, religious, conscientious or personal. Diet is part of the essential care of the patient. If it is not right the patient may recover less quickly.

Buccolam® Midazolam oromucosal liquid [PDF, 288 KB]

Midazolam is a fast-acting sedative. It is used for several purposes including help with muscle spasms, and also in the control and prevention of fits. Buccolam® is the form of midazolam when it is given by mouth.

Buccolam® can be an easy and effective way to give relief of distressing symptoms at home, but it must be used in the situation(s) recommended in this leaflet.

Having a skin biopsy [PDF, 110 KB]

This leaflet explains what a skin biopsy is and the benefits, risks and alternatives of this procedure. If you have any questions, please speak to your doctor or nurse.

Information about your bone scan [PDF, 110 KB]

A nuclear medicine bone scan allows us to take pictures of your bones in a different way to X-rays, which will help your consultant diagnose or manage your condition.

To perform the scan, you will be given an injection containing a small amount of radioactivity called a radioactive tracer. Over time the radioactive tracer collects in the bones and then we can take pictures of them on a scanner called a gamma camera.

Information for bladder cancer patients receiving carbogen and nicotinamide [PDF, 104 KB]

This information sheet is to tell you about a treatment you will be having as part of your bladder cancer treatment. You have cancer in the bladder which requires a course of radiotherapy.

You can also read this information in an accessible format on our Bladder carbogen and nicotinamide (BCON) radiotherapy page.

Information for patients receiving radiotherapy for bone pain [PDF, 111 KB]

This leaflet is a guide for patient for patients receiving radiotherapy for bone pain. Cancer cells can cause thinning areas of the bone.  These may be painful and can sometimes even lead to fractures.  

Radiotherapy after breast surgery [PDF, 1.37 KB]

This booklet is to tell you about radiotherapy after breast surgery. Please try to read this booklet before your next appointment at The Christie.

Radiotherapy to the bladder [PDF, 1,738 KB]

This booklet is to tell you about radiotherapy to the bladder. The Christie is a specialised centre for radiotherapy and patients come for treatments that are not always available at general hospitals. If you are having radiotherapy as an inpatient, please bring this booklet with you.

Radiotherapy to the whole brain and spine [PDF, 87 KB]

Radiotherapy works by damaging dividing cells in our bodies. Because cancer cells are not able to repair themselves as efficiently as normal cells, more cancer cells will be destroyed.

For some types of brain tumour, for example germ cell tumours, medulloblastoma and occasionally in low grade gliomas, radiotherapy treatment, which may follow chemotherapy or surgery includes treatment to the whole brain and spine to reduce risk of disease recurrence in these areas.

What to expect during the first year of diagnosis of secondary breast cancer [PDF, 101 KB]

Whilst attending The Christie you will be given the contact details of the Macmillan secondary breast clinical nurse specialists (CNS). This leaflet covers the support pathway you should expect to receive during the first year following your diagnosis.

We encourage you to attend your appointment to the nurse-led clinic as this contact then leads on to additional available support, if required.

You can also read this information in an accessible format on our Support for secondary breast cancer patients page.

Last updated: May 2023