Alarm at cancer victims kept in dark about their treatment

A SURVEY of cancer sufferers asking about their care has revealed “concerning issues” about information they are given, a report says.

Just under half of patients reported they were not fully informed about the long-term side-effects of treatment, many were not given information about how to receive financial help and far too few reported being given a care plan.

The NHS England National Cancer Patient Experience Survey monitors national progress on cancer care and relates to patient experience over the previous 12 months. The latest report is the seventh.

Benefits

Macmillan Cancer Support studied the survey results.

It said: “Patients appear to get more information on some areas (like free prescriptions) than on others (like benefits).

“Information about radiotherapy and chemotherapy appears to be better before treatment than during it and care and support from health and social services at home appears to be less positively experienced than care received in hospitals.

“These differences were all evident in previous years’ data as well.”

The report was published as statistics show the 62-day target between an urgent GP referral and starting treatment has now not been met for 29 consecutive months.

The 69,072 respondents gave an average rating for their care of 8.8 out of 10.

Eight in 10 said they were definitely involved as much as they wanted to be in decisions about their care.

Just 60 per cent said they thought GPs and nurses at their general practice definitely did everything they could to support them while they were having cancer treatment.

Dr Moira Fraser, director of policy at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “There is much room for improvement in cancer care.

“While it is good to see that cancer patients broadly have a positive experience of cancer care, a closer look at this year’s survey reveals some concerning issues.

“Cancer affects everyone differently in countless, complex ways – from mental health issues to money worries – so it is imperative that patients feel fully informed about both their diagnosis and support.”

Cally Palmer, NHS England’s national cancer director, said: “The latest statistics are clear – the number of people living beyond cancer is at a record high and we now know the vast majority of people with cancer also feel positive about the care they receive.”