Spotlight on Sarcoma Care: Meet our Lead Sarcoma Clinical Nurse Specialist
This Sarcoma Awareness Month, we’re proud to shine a light on the vital work of our Lead Germ Cell and Sarcoma Clinical Nurse Specialist, Liz Allison, at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW).
Sarcomas are cancers that develop in the supporting tissues of the body, including bone, cartilage, tendons, fat and muscle, so sarcoma can appear anywhere in the body. Every day, 15 people are diagnosed with a type of sarcoma in the UK. It is the third most common cancer in children and young people, and is also common in middle-aged or elderly people.
Liz plays a pivotal role in supporting patients aged 16 and over across the South West who are undergoing treatment for sarcoma – a rare and complex group of cancers. With a caseload of over 180 patients, including nearly 50 on active treatment, Liz and her colleague Anna provide compassionate, expert care across a wide regional footprint, including Bristol, Yeovil, Taunton, Bath, and Weston.
As a key worker, Liz is often the first point of contact for patients – managing everything from symptom queries to medication advice and appointment coordination. She also acts as a vital bridge between patients and consultants, helping to streamline communication and reduce pressure on clinical teams.
Sarcoma care is uniquely challenging. Many patients are teenagers and young adults, navigating cancer during a critical stage of life. Liz’s role involves not just clinical support, but also navigating the social and emotional complexities that come with treating younger patients – balancing independence, family dynamics, and life transitions.
“Cancer in young people is more complex – they’re not quite paediatric, not quite adult. They need more time, more support, and often more advocacy.”
Liz also coordinates care across multiple centres, for example, patients may receive biopsies in Birmingham, chemotherapy in Bristol, and proton beam therapy in London. Her coordination helps patients navigate complex treatment pathways with less stress and greater confidence. Without dedicated administrative support, much of this coordination falls to her and her team, adding to an already demanding role.
Despite the emotional toll, particularly with many patients facing palliative diagnoses, Liz remains deeply committed to her patients. Her hope for the future? More resources to allow her to focus on what matters most: direct patient care.
“Sometimes it feels like we’re just scraping the surface. We want to do more than just touch base – we want to make a real difference.”
Liz’s work is a powerful reminder of the dedication, resilience, and heart that define cancer nursing. This Sarcoma Awareness Month, we thank her – and all sarcoma CNSs – for the extraordinary care they provide.
Sarcoma UK have a number of resources for healthcare professionals to help with earlier diagnosis. Whether you’re a GP, physio, radiologist or other healthcare professional, they have practical guidance, training resources, and real stories from peers working with sarcoma. Visit: www.sarcoma.org.uk/sarcoma-awareness-month-2025
