Needs of cancer survivors 'overlooked'
Updated on 29 June 2009
The long-term health needs of cancer survivors are often overlooked, a charity has claimed.
Macmillan Cancer Support has said many of the 2 million people in the UK living with or after the disease are suffering needlessly and in silence.
It said people who have successfully battled the disease can still suffer for years afterwards with problems including fatigue, nerve damage, hot flushes and impotence.
Even ten years after treatment, 71 per cent of 443 people questioned had experienced a physical condition possibly linked to their cancer or treatment.
Macmillan's poll found 40 per cent of cancer survivors were not aware of the long-term effects of cancer and its treatment. Yet 78 per cent had experienced at least one physical health problem within the last 12 months.
Ciaran Devane, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "Far too many distressed cancer survivors are left to suffer alone. It's great that people are surviving cancer but we cannot desert them after their initial treatment is over."
Mr Devane added: "That's why we're urging the Government to act and find new ways to support these people as well as help them cope with any ongoing needs they may have now or in the future."
Jim from Surrey was 59 when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2005.
He said: "I thought I knew about the possible side effects of my treatment, but now I realise I didn't understand at all. Any discussions I had with my consultant were very much one dimensional - let's cure this cancer.
"Sitting through meetings with very bad urinary infections has been excruciatingly embarrassing for me. I wish I'd been given more information on what to expect and where to get help."
Macmillan is now calling for cancer survivors to be given a post-treatment assessment, including information on the possible consequences of cancer and treatment.
It also wants "swift" access to a specialist if people's health needs change.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said: "We want people who have been diagnosed with cancer to lead as healthy and active a life as possible, for as long as possible.
"We have launched the National Cancer Survivorship Initiative to reduce the impact of unavoidable long-term effects of cancer and its treatment and improve the health and wellbeing of cancer survivors.
"We have announced that the Government will provide £1.6 million to Macmillan Cancer Support in 2009/10 to support this vital work.
"This will make a real difference to people living with and living beyond cancer, by helping people get the expert care and support they need."
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