Not enough support for chronic cancer patients

Around 14,000 people are living with “chronic” cancer in Scotland but do not always get the support they need, new research suggests.

A study for Macmillan Cancer Support found tens of thousands of people across the UK are living with cancer that is known as treatable but not curable, including about 14,000 in Scotland.

The charity said these patients are likely to need more intensive support that other cancer sufferers to help them deal with significantly higher levels of anxiety, fear, pain, sleep problems and fatigue.

But it said 77% of those with so-called “chronic” cancer in the UK are not getting all the physical or emotional support they need.

Lorraine Sloan, from Macmillan, said: “The meaning of cancer has changed dramatically over the past decades. Diagnoses that would once have meant people were unlikely to survive long can now be treated, giving people years of extra time with their families.

“However it’s not enough to simply help people survive longer. We need to help them live. That means ensuring their complex needs are met.

“We know those on the frontline are working extremely hard, but we also hear that they’re under pressure and sometimes just spread too thin to give people the kind of care they need.

“The Scottish Government has committed to publishing a workforce plan to tackle the issues in the system.

“We hope to see it soon, alongside a fully-costed implementation plan.”

Former nursery nurse Maureen Browne, from Penicuik, Midlothian, said the “fear of the unknown” makes it difficult when dealing with such a diagnosis.

The 62-year-old was diagnosed with cancer of the lining of the womb in February 2014 by chance after an injury at work led to a scan of her back which found a mass on her pelvis.

She said: “My consultant recently advised me he didn’t want to see me for a year, which although it sounds like a positive thing is actually very daunting.

“I had the cancer for years before it was found so how will I know if it is getting worse?”

A Scottish Government spokesman said action is being taken on workforce plan recommendations, ahead of an integrated plan being published.