Cancer; Not Simply A Question Of Life Or Death, Macmillan Cancer Support

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 29 Jun 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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Health and social care services are overlooking the long-term physical and emotional effects of cancer survivors, leaving many of the two million people living with or beyond the disease in the UK suffering alone and in silence. According to Macmillan Cancer Support, cancer survivors are suffering needlessly and in silence: overlooked by health and social care services that frequently miss the long-term physical and emotional effects of the disease.

Professor Jane Maher, Chief Medical Officer at Macmillan Cancer Support says, "The cancer of story has changed. It used to seem very simple - either you had successful treatment, were cured and able to take up your life where you left off, or you had incurable cancer and died very quickly.

"Now, some people can live for several years with incurable "chronic" cancer, while others, whose cancer is cured, are suffering with chronic problems due to treatment which finished months or even years before," Professor Maher continues.

The charity has discovered that almost half (44 per cent) 1 of cancer survivors themselves are not aware of the long-term effects of cancer and its treatment yet over three-quarters (78 per cent) 1 have experienced at least one of these physical health problems within the last 12 months.

Time heals? Think again. Even ten years after treatment, 71 per cent1 have experienced a physical condition that might be linked to their cancer or treatment.

Professor Maher explains, "We now know that people need more support after treatment to get their lives back on track; recognising and managing these chronic problems. Those who no longer need treatment may also be at particular risk of other conditions and illnesses and this must be recognised."

Jim from Surrey was 59 when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2005.

"I thought I knew about the possible side effects of my treatment, but now I realise I didn't understand at all. And any discussions I had with my consultant were very much one dimensional - let's cure this cancer."

Four years on and Jim is left wondering, "Is there such a thing as 'after' cancer? The treatment is over but the after-effects certainly aren't."

Jim is not alone and unfortunately, the situation is set to get worse. With the number of people diagnosed with cancer in the UK rising, so too will the number of people living with the consequences; by 3.2 per cent every year.2

Professor Maher continues, "We're urging the Government to act now and find new ways to support these people and help them cope with any ongoing needs they may have now or in the future."

Macmillan believes there are some simple measures that can and should be introduced to support cancer survivors, including:

- Everyone who finishes treatment should be offered a post-treatment assessment that informs the development of a personalised care plan, which allows more support for complex cases.

- As part of that plan, people should be provided with information about possible consequences of cancer and its treatment, any changes that they can make to their lifestyle to minimise the impact of their cancer and its treatment, self-management and support services, and what to do if they suspect recurrence.

- There should be clear and swift access back into the specialist system if people's health needs change. Anyone who has ever had a cancer diagnosis, however long ago, should be able to access help and support.

- GPs need to be enabled to support people living beyond cancer, by ensuring they are informed about their patients' treatment and ongoing needs, and how they might be met. This could be done by ensuring that details of cancer and its treatment are included in a standardised electronic treatment record, which is easily accessed online during a consultation.

Source
Macmillan Cancer Support