The healthcare team
A team of healthcare professionals will look after different areas of your treatment and care. This is called a multi-disciplinary team (MDT).
Your team will include experts in bowel cancer and experts who specialise in the parts of the body that your bowel cancer has spread to. They'll usually meet every week. Your consultant or specialist nurse will discuss these meetings with you. They'll make sure your wishes are considered and that you fully understand the care that they’re recommending for you.
Usually, your multi-disciplinary team will include:
- colorectal clinical nurse specialists (CNS): a nurse who’s had training in caring for patients with bowel cancer. The colorectal CNS is usually your first point of contact if you have any questions or concerns. You may also meet CNSs who specialise in other parts of the body, depending on where your cancer has spread
- surgeon: a doctor with specialist training in surgery. You may have different surgeons depending on where your bowel cancer has spread. For example, colorectal surgeons specialise in bowel surgery, hepato-biliary surgeons specialise in liver surgery and thoracic surgeons specialise in lung surgery
- medical and clinical oncologists: doctors who treat cancer patients with chemotherapy and other drugs. They often work together and might be supported by specialist registrars and (senior) house officers. Clinical oncologists can also give radiotherapy treatment
- specialist registrars : qualified doctors who are gaining more experience and developing their skills within a specialist area
- foundation doctors (house officer) or core trainees (senior house officer): qualified doctors who have not yet specialised
- radiologists: doctors who use medical imaging to find cancer and guide treatments into the body. These scans may include ultrasound, CT, PET and MRI. Diagnostic radiologists use scans to find and measure where the cancer is in the body. Interventional radiologists use scans to help treat cancer
- histopathologists: a specialist doctor who uses laboratory equipment to look at patient tissue under a microscope and confirm a diagnosis
- stoma nurse specialists: a nurse with specialist training to care for patients with a temporary or permanent stoma
Other healthcare professionals that may also be involved in your care include:
- oncology nurse specialists: nurses with additional qualifications in the care and management of people needing chemotherapy
- research nurses: a nurse who helps recruit, manage and support patients who are taking part in a clinical trial
- dieticians and nutritionists: professionals who support you if you have problems with eating or drinking, or if you need help with managing your weight
- gastroenterologists: doctors who specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders and diseases of the digestive system
- occupational therapists: a professional trained to help you manage the physical challenges of day-to-day tasks and cope with home or work life after surgery or other treatment
- palliative care specialists: a doctor or nurse with extra training and experience to support patients (and their families) living with cancer and help manage symptoms through psychological and practical support
- pharmacists: specialists who can support and advise about the medicines you’re using and their possible side effects
- physiotherapists: professionals trained to help you regain strength, movement and balance
- clinical psychologist: professionals trained to treat and support you if you are having trouble coping with emotional or behavioural problems. This service may also be offered to your family
- psychiatrist: a doctor trained to treat and support you if you have problems coping with psychological or emotional issues
- therapeutic radiographers: plan and deliver radiotherapy treatment and provide medical and emotional support during the treatment
- counsellors: professional who uses non-medical therapies to support people dealing with emotional problems. This service may be offered to your family
We’ve suggested some questions you might like to ask when meeting your medical team.
Updated March 2026
Next review March 2029
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