MORAY HAYMAN

COLUMNIST

HEARING the words “you have cancer” can be life-changing, and every year in Wales more than 19,000 people will receive this news.

In addition to high-quality care, when you have cancer having the right information can help you to stay as well as you can and to get the right support for you and your loved ones in a timely way.

At Macmillan, we believe people with cancer and their loved ones should have the high quality, tailored information they need to understand their diagnosis, treatment options and side effects.

They should also be given information on how to access wider support, including financial advice to help manage the impact the impact cancer may have on their finances.

Yet we know from the recent Wales Cancer Patient Experience Survey that more than a quarter (27%) of people surveyed said they did not receive the written information they needed.

As Macmillan understands the importance of people with cancer and their loved ones getting the right information, we have launched our first dedicated mobile information bus for Wales.

The new bus, Bronwen, is staffed by a highly skilled team of health and social care professionals with decades of experience in caring for and supporting people living with cancer.

Our team will be out-and-about in cities, towns and villages to offer free information and support, and to answer questions about treatments, side effects and living with and beyond cancer.

We know that no one person’s experience of cancer is the same as another’s. People’s treatments, worries and needs are hugely complex.

Our new mobile information bus is here for everyone with questions about cancer.

Whether you’ve just been diagnosed, are going through treatment or are living beyond cancer, we can offer advice on anything ranging from diet and treatments to financial and emotional support.

If you have questions about cancer that need answering, please keep an eye out for Bronwen in your area.

You can pop in for a cuppa and a chat whenever you see us park up at a location near you. No appointment is necessary.

You can also find out where Bronwen will be on her tour of Wales by checking our website at www.macmillan.org.uk/mobileinfo or by following @MacmillanCymru on Twitter.

Moray Hayman is team lead for Macmillan Wales’ mobile information and support service