Domestic abuse and cancer are common, and a cancer diagnosis can trigger abusers to escalate their abuse or use new types of abuse. The toolkit has been designed to equip cancer professionals in secondary and tertiary care with an understanding of different types of domestic abuse and cancer-related vulnerabilities, red flags to look out for in the cancer context, and what to do if they suspect someone is experiencing domestic abuse. The toolkit is designed to complement existing domestic abuse training in NHS Trusts. 

Cancer and domestic abuse: A toolkit for professionals is based on the findings of a two-phase project that aimed to enhance the cancer workforce awareness and response to domestic abuse. The findings of the first phase, a consultation with cancer professionals and victim-survivors, were published in 2022. 

Experiencing domestic abuse has a hugely negative impact on cancer care, treatment, recovery and, regardless of whether the victim-survivor is a patient or carer, access to support. The toolkit was co-produced with domestic abuse victim-survivors.

Read the full news item on the Centre for Academic Primary Care webpages.