Needs Of Cancer Survivors Ingored By NHS, Say Nurses, United Kingdom

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 24 Mar 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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Four out of five nurses (82 per cent) say the needs of people living with or after cancer in the UK are not being met by the NHS, according to a new survey by Macmillan Cancer Support and the Nursing Times.

Nurses report that following initial treatment, 92 per cent of patients experience physical problems and 96 per cent experience emotional problems but they say these needs are not properly addressed.

A lack of services available to help people adjust to the consequences of cancer and its treatment, insufficient advice about returning to work and how to cope financially make it difficult for patients to get their lives back on track after treatment, according to the nurses.

"It is shocking that so many nurses believe the NHS is failing cancer survivors. Two million people are currently living with a cancer diagnosis and yet our survey shows not all nurses have access to training or can find the services to help these people, many of whom are in desperate need," said Jessica Corner, Chief Clinician at Macmillan Cancer Support.

Only two out of three (63 per cent) of the nurses who received training to help care for people with a cancer diagnosis said it had given them adequate understanding and knowledge of the needs of cancer survivors.

People living with and beyond cancer often have difficulty getting their lives back when hospital treatment ends. They may experience emotional problems, side effects such as severe fatigue or lymphoedema, or find it hard to get back to work, pay the bills or start a family.

Fran, 57, from London was diagnosed with cancer of the retina in 2006. She says: "Once my treatment was over, I was abandoned. There was no system to support me, no one asked me how I would cope emotionally, and when I started suffering side effects, I felt like I was making a fuss about nothing. Even at work, I was made to feel like a nuisance and took early retirement. I'm still lacking in energy and I experience flashing lights so do I still have cancer? Has it been cured? Is it going to return? I have nobody to answer my questions. The absolute silence of support is deafening."

A 15-page supplement addressing the long-term needs of cancer survivors will be included in theNursing Times on 31 March 2009. The supplement includes information on the long-term physical and emotional effects of cancer treatment, advice on how nurses can help their patients return to a normal life and tips on caring for carers.

For Macmillan's latest learning and development opportunities visit: http://www.macmillan.org.uk/learnzone

1. The online survey was conducted on the website between 7January - 4 February 2009. 798 registered nurses, working in cancer and other disciplines, took part.

2. The results were as follows:

- 99% of nurses thought people who have experienced cancer face problems after treatment

- 82% said the needs of cancer patients are not being met

- In the nurses' experience, 96% of cancer patients suffer emotional problems following initial treatment, 92% experience physical problems and 78% have money worries

- 38% of health professionals do not have access to specific education or training to support people who have had a cancer diagnosis

- 72% of nurses say insufficient services available to help people adjust to the practical and emotional after-effects of treatment are a major barrier to people getting their lives back after treatment

- 60% thought inadequate assessment of people's physical, emotional and social needs was a major barrier to people getting their lives back after treatment

- 60% thought a lack of information about returning to work or finances was a major barrier to people getting their lives back after treatment

- 96% of nurses considered meeting the needs of carers to be part of their job

- 62% of nurses are aware of specific services for carers of people living with cancer.

- Only 63% of nurses who have received specific training/education to meet the needs of people who have had a cancer diagnosis said that it was sufficient.

About Macmillan Cancer Support

Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer, providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support. Working alongside people affected by cancer, Macmillan works to improve cancer care. One in three of us will get cancer. Two million of us are living with it. If you are affected by cancer Macmillan can help.

Source
Macmillan Cancer Support