13 January 2025
Boots Opticians and Macmillan Cancer Support have launched specialist training for optometrists to support patients affected by cancer.
The training provides optometrists with the skills to help patients living with cancer and experiencing ocular side effects from cancer treatments, such as dry, sensitive, and sore eyes.
The optometrists are also trained to look out for signs of skin cancer on the face and head, with the potential to support earlier cancer detection.
If a Boots Macmillian optometrist identifies any signs of cancer, they are able to make a referral to NHS care or signpost patients to Macmillan support services.
More than 270 Boots Opticians practices have a Boots Macmillan optometrist.
The training will be rolled out to more optometrists across the UK, with more than 30 practices to be enlisted before the end of 2025.
Research suggests that almost one in two people across the UK will receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.
Boots Opticians shared the story of a patient called Deborah to highlight the important role that routine eye exams can have in early detection and diagnosis of cancer.
Deborah booked a sight test after losing her glasses at a concert, and during the appointment she described an irritation in the corner of her eye when holidaying in Morocco – something that she thought would heal over time.
After a thorough examination by Rupa Thobhani, a Boots Macmillan optometrist, Deborah was referred to an NHS clinic for further review, which led to an operation.
“Since my treatment, the skin graft has healed very well, and I am deeply grateful to Rupa for taking the time to look so carefully,” Deborah said.
Thobhani explained: “During her routine eye test, I noticed the lesion on her eye, revealing indications of possible nodulo-ulcerative basal cell carcinoma. I shared my suspicions with Deborah and upon further evaluation, I found out that she’d previously had skin cancer.”
“Cancer can be lifechanging and if Deborah hadn’t come to see me, I wouldn’t have been able to spot it as early as I did,” Thobhani said, adding: “The Boots Macmillan Optician Professionals training modules highlight the importance of looking for anything out of the ordinary around the eyes, face, nose, or even the ears, and that’s exactly what I did.”
The training scheme forms the latest initiative in Boots and Macmillan’s 15-year partnership.
People affected by cancer can also access support from Boots Macmillan Information Pharmacists, Boots Macmillan Beauty Advisors, and training is also being rolled out to Boots Macmillan Information Technicians.
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