Primary roles

AHPs provide specialist assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and support throughout the cancer pathway.

AHP roles contributing to cancer care (not an exhaustive list):

  • Dietitians - provide specialist nutritional assessment and advice to help people maintain nutrition, manage treatment side effects and support recovery.
  • Occupational Therapists - help people maintain independence and manage the impact of cancer and treatment on everyday activities and quality of life.
  • Physiotherapists - support physical function, mobility, strength and rehabilitation before, during and after cancer treatment.
  • Diagnostic Radiographers - provide specialist imaging to support the diagnosis, staging and monitoring of cancer.
  • Therapeutic Radiographers - plan and deliver radiotherapy treatments and provide specialist support to patients throughout their radiotherapy journey.
  • Speech and Language Therapists - support people with communication and swallowing difficulties associated with cancer and its treatment.
  • Pharmacists - provide specialist advice on medicines, supporting safe and effective use of cancer treatments, managing side effects and helping people understand their medicines.

AHPs and the National Cancer Plan

AHPs are essential to delivering the ambitions of the National Cancer Plan for England, supporting people throughout their cancer journey and helping them to live as well and independently as possible.

AHPs contribute across the whole cancer pathway, from diagnosis and treatment through to rehabilitation, survivorship and palliative and end-of-life care.

Their specialist expertise supports personalised care, improves quality of life and helps people manage the physical, emotional and practical impact of cancer and its treatment.

The development of a skilled and sustainable AHP workforce is therefore an important part of delivering high-quality cancer care across Kent and Medway.

The Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development (ACCEND) programme will be expanded to provide 'more training opportunities and career pathways for cancer nurses and cancer support staff'.*
*(National Cancer Plan, page 38, Action 23).

ACCEND, HCPC and the Greater Manchester ePortfolio 

ACCEND provides a national framework for developing the knowledge, skills and capabilities needed to work effectively in cancer care.

For AHPs, ACCEND sits alongside your HCPC Standards of Proficiency and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements, as well as your profession-specific career framework.

The GM Cancer Academy ePortfolio provides a digital space to record your cancer-specific learning, reflections and evidence, with learning mapped to ACCEND capabilities.