Better care

LAST week you ran a story about cancer patients being ‘forced’ to ‘self-manage their treatment’ as part of a programme supported by Macmillan Cancer Support.

As Chief Medical Officer of Macmillan I’d like to address some of the points made. We know that cancer patients value regular hospital appointments after treatment because they believe that this is the only way to pick up new cancers.

Research has shown that surprisingly few recurrences are picked up in this way, but instead are found either by planned scans and blood tests or by patients noticing a change and contacting their doctor between appointments. Furthermore, for many patients ‘routine’ hospital outpatient appointments are stressful and disruptive with no time to address important issues such as long term treatment side effects or emotional issues.

It is because of these findings that Macmillan has invested £5million into a transforming care after treatment programme, including the choice of having fewer hospital visits combined with support to help people feel more confident to recognise the signs of recurrence and how to manage the after effects of cancer and its treatment.

It will not be for everyone and no one is ‘forced’ on to the programme. Scans and tests are delivered as normal and, of course, all treatment will continue to be carried out by qualified specialists.

Far from being about cost cutting, this programme is about responding to patients concerns leading to better, more personalised cancer care. PROFESSOR JANE MAHER,

FRCR FRCPE, Chief Medical Officer, Macmillan

Cancer Support.