Diagnosis and Treatment

Having a CT scan

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This booklet uses easy wordsand pictures to help you getinformation about cancer.

You might want someone tohelp you look at the bookletso you can talk about it.

This booklet can help youlearn about cancer. But this is not the same as talking toyour doctor. If you are worried about your health, you should talk to a doctor or nurse.

There is a Word Bank at theback of the booklet to helpwith hard words. Any wordsin bold you can find in theWord Bank.

Scans

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Having a CT scan

Scans and x-rays aredone in hospital by people called radiographers.

Scans and x-rays areways of taking photos of the inside of the body.This helps the doctorcheck if everything is OK,or find out what is causing a health problem.

Scans and x-rays do nothurt. Tell the doctor if youhave any pain.

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Having a CT scan

If you are pregnant somescans and x-rays can hurtthe baby. So before yougo for a scan you musttell the doctor if you thinkyou might be pregnant.

Here are some thingsthat you might want to doif you need to have ascan or x-ray.

= Ask the radiographer, x-ray nurse or your supporter to tell you what they are going to do before they do it.

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Having a CT scan:

The CT scan is doneusing a machine called aCT scanner. It is a typeof x-ray machine.

Having a CT scan

= It could be a good idea to visit the hospital with your supporter before you go for the scan. Then you will know what it is like.

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Having a CT scan

It sends rays or beamsthrough the body to makea picture of the inside of the body. The scan doesnot hurt.

Any part of the body canbe scanned.

The CT scanner lookslike a big box with a holein it. It has a special bedfor you to lie on. The bedmoves in and out of thescanner. Only the part ofyour body the doctorwants to check will beinside the scanner.

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Before you have a CTscan there are somethings you will be askedto do to get ready.

Having a CT scan

When you come for thescan you need to go tothe reception desk first.

Then you may have towait in the waiting room.If you would find thishard, you can ask to waitin a separate room untilyou have your scan.

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Having a CT scan

= Depending on what part of your body is being scanned you might be asked not to eat anything for a few hours before the test.

= Depending on what part of your body is being scanned you may be asked to drink a special liquid.

This liquid makes it easier for the doctor tosee the inside of yourbody on the scan.

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You will have to take offany jewellery too.

Having a CT scan

You may be asked to takesome clothes off and puton a hospital gown. Youcan usually keep your underwear on.

This liquid may be giventhrough an injection intothe back of your hand instead. The radiographershould ask you if you feelOK. Tell them if you don’tfeel OK.

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Having a CT scan

You will be asked to lie ona bed which movesslowly backwards andforwards through thescanner.

The scanner does nottouch your body, but whenthe scanner passes overyour body you might feela bit claustrophobic.

This means feelingscared or panicky whenyou are in a small space.If you feel like this tell the radiographer.

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Having a CT scan

The CT scan only takes a few minutes to do but itcan take some time to getyou in the right position.You will have to lie verystill when the scan is happening.

The radiographer andyour supporter will not beable to stay next to youwhile the CT scan is happening. They will bein a small room at theside behind some glass.

They can give you somemedicine to help yourelax.

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Having a CT scan

You will still be able tosee and hear them talking to you. They can hear you too.

Some people like to listento music while they arebeing scanned to helpthem stay calm. You canbring your own musicwith you if you like.

Word B a nk

Drawing by Tracey HarrisonVolunteer and Illustrator with learning disabilities

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ClaustrophobicThis is when a personfeels scared or panickywhen they are in small ortight spaces.

Word Bank

CT scannerA machine that does yourCT scan. It has a specialbed for you to lie on whilethe scan is done.

DiagnosisA diagnosis is finding outwhether you have an illness or not.

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X-rayThis is a picture taken ofthe inside of your body.

Word Bank

RadiographerA person who takesscans of your body.

InjectionWhen you have a needleput through your skin toput a medicine into yourbody.

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Notes

Us eful conta cts

Drawing by Tracey HarrisonVolunteer and Illustrator with learning disabilities

Helpful organisations

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Useful contacts

Cancer Research UKA charity that is researching treatments for cancer. Its website has lots of information about cancer.Phone: 0808 800 4040Web: www.cancerresearchuk.org

Macmillan Cancer SupportA charity that helps people who have cancer. They give practical, medicaland financial support. They try to make cancer care in the UK better.Phone: 0808 808 00 00Web: www.macmillan.org.uk

NHS ContactsThese contacts give you information about your health and health services:England and Scotland Phone: 111Wales Phone: 0845 46 47Northern Ireland Web: www.hscni.net

Paul’s Cancer Support CentreGives help, information and complementary therapies to people withcancer. Phone: 0207 924 3924Web: www.paulscancersupportcentre.org.uk

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Useful contacts

RESPONDGives therapy to people with learning disabilities after trauma or abuse.They also offer training and support to carers.Phone: 0808 808 07 00Web: www.respond.org.uk

Written and audio material

Books Beyond WordsA series of picture books for people with learning disabilities. The bookstalk about cancer, health and bereavement.Web: www.booksbeyondwords.co.ukPhone: 020 8877 9799Email: admin@booksbeyondwords.co.uk

FAIR MultimediaPublishes a range of health leaflets, audio discs and CDs for peoplewith learning disabilities. This includes a series on cancer.Email: fair@fairadvice.org.ukPhone: 0131 662 1962Web: www.fairadvice.org.uk/health-publications.php

Online help

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Useful contacts

www.easyhealth.org.ukHas lots of online health information that is easy to understand.

www.macmillan.org.ukHas lots of information aboutcancer and where to get help.You can also talk to other people with cancer in the online community.

Videos and DVDsLeeds Animation WorkshopHas animated films on social issues for people with learning disabilities. Thereis one called ‘Getting Better’ about going to the doctor and the health clinic.Phone: 0113 248 4997Web: www.leedsanimation.org.uk/index.html

Speak Up Self AdvocacyHas DVDs and booklets for people with learning disabilities about health and illness.Web: www.speakup.org.uk

Macmillan Cancer Support has reviewed the information in thisbooklet and paid for it to be produced. They are a charity whohelp people with cancer. They have nurses and other healthworkers. They try to make cancer care in the UK better. Theyhave experts who can answer your questions about cancer andhow it affects your life. You can call Macmillan on 0808 808 00 00or textphone 0808 808 0121 (Mon–Fri, 9am–8pm). Or go tomacmillan.org.uk

CHANGE is a leading national Human Rights organisation led bydisabled people. We work for equal rights for all people withlearning disabilities. The cancer books and booklets thatCHANGE have produced are part of an ongoing campaign toraise awareness about the issues of cancer for people withlearning disabilities. You can call CHANGE on 0113 242 6619,email info@changepeople.org or find us at www.changepeople.org

This easy read booklet was produced by CHANGE © CHANGE 2016