“Cancer is a topic that resonates with many people”

The number of people being diagnosed with cancer is rising, Macmillan Cancer Support suggests, with recent analysis indicating that the number of people living with cancer in the UK has risen to almost 3.5 million, the highest figure ever reported.

Earlier this year, Boots Opticians shared that, in association with Macmillan Cancer Support, it has introduced specialist training for optometrists to support patients affected by cancer and to look out for signs of skin cancer.

Kyla Black, head of professional services and capability at Boots Opticians, told OT about the background of the partnership and what the training programme involves. 

Boots and Macmillan Cancer Support have an existing partnership. Could you describe how the latest initiative between Boots Opticians and the charity came about?

There has been an ongoing partnership with Boots and Macmillan since 2009 which has seen the launch of Boots Macmillan Information Pharmacists (BMIP) and Boots Macmillan Beauty Advisors (BMBA) and we recognised that our opticians colleagues could play a massive role in the partnership. With so many patients attending our stores, and the increasing incidence of cancer diagnoses, we recognised that our colleagues were perfectly placed to aid with raising awareness of the support available directly or indirectly for those affected by cancer.

What informed the decision to launch a training scheme?

Cancer is a topic that resonates with many people, as nearly everyone has been affected by cancer, either directly (research suggests that almost one in two people will receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime) or indirectly. Whether it's a friend, family member, or colleague, it has touched us all in some way.

We recognised the brilliant work our colleagues do in this area and wanted to support with further training to help clinicians with their knowledge and conversations surrounding cancer.

We recognised that our colleagues were perfectly placed to aid with raising awareness of the support available directly or indirectly for those affected by cancer

What is involved in the training programme? How does this enhance the existing clinical skillset of optometrists?

The training programme comprises four interactive online modules available through our digital platform. Completion of each module allows progression to the next, with these taking around 90 minutes collectively to complete. Colleagues are advised to reflect on each module before progressing to the next.

To aid with our colleagues' current skillsets, we have specific modules around Consequences of treatment and Recognition and Diagnosis which may refresh or further current understanding.

The final step in the training is a declaration from our colleagues to advise that they have completed the modules and are happy to be registered as part of our network of Boots Macmillan Opticians Professionals (BMOP).

How does the partnership aid practitioners in communicating with patients who are affected by cancer?

We recognised the communication element to be a major foundation of everything we do and as such, one of the modules created was designed specifically to help in conversations with people living with cancer.

At Boots Opticians we always look to provide an underlying theme of optimism with there being no space for negativity or uncertainty. Instead it’s a chance to focus on seeing what’s really possible. We find this to be especially true when having conversations in our BMOP roles.

To support this, we worked with the experts at the Macmillan Support line and designed a module that covers:

• Structuring a conversation with a patient who reports they are living with or supporting someone who is living with cancer
• Understanding some of the key communication skills that will support a person-centred approach
• Key supporting resources.

When did the first Boots Macmillan optometrists complete their training? What has the response been like?

The first Boots Macmillan Opticians Professional completed their training on 31 May 2024. Since then, we have had a total of 700 complete their training with circa 300 stores having a registered BMOP, and even more stores having access to the service through our mobile colleagues.

Colleagues have advised that the training has helped with their confidence in having conversations where they may not have previously known how to approach the subject.

They have shared that the training was highly informative and made it more readily accessible to share key resources that are available to signpost. Colleagues have also expressed that the training aided their clinical skills in the recognition and diagnosis of potentially suspicious lesions.

What do you hope this partnership will provide to communities?

We hope this partnership will continue to grow and shape care within local communities providing more readily available access to people when they need us most.