How to survive cancer

As one of Britain’s most eminent oncologists, Professor Karol Sikora clearly knows how to treat cancer – but just as important for patients, he says, is knowing how to live with it. That is the subject of

Sikora’s latest book, The Street-wise Patient’s Guide to

Surviving Cancer. The first priority, he told John Sutherland in The Oldie, is “to convince your doctors that you enjoy life and want to continue”. This is especially important if you are elderly. “Political correctness insists the NHS is not ageist. Doctors now have to do mandatory training every year – I was proud to score 100% in my equality and diversity course. I’ve framed my certificate and put it in our guest toilet. It’s all madness, of course – doctors have always looked after patients whatever their colour, creed or sexual persuasion.” But the fact is that “rationing abounds”, and “the cost of many cancer drugs is astronomical. Would you really want us to spend £100,000 on a new cancer drug for a 95-year-old with severe dementia for two months of increased survival? If you do, then what services do you want to cut? That’s the dilemma society just can’t face.”

So be as charming and persuasive as possible – and not just to your doctors. “The NHS is a people business. Most of its staff are dedicated and remarkably caring. And they naturally respond well to pleasant patients. Telling someone they have a lovely smile costs nothing. The lower down the food chain you are, the less you get thanks in the NHS – that’s where the unsung heroes are found.”