Charity calls for NHS cancer survivor care

A cancer charity has called for an overhaul of Scotland's NHS to help deal with an increase in the number of people surviving cancer.

There are 180,000 cancer survivors in Scotland, but the figure is expected to double over the next 20 years.

Macmillan Cancer Support said one in five cancer patients who survive treatment develop long-term emotional, psychological or physical problems.

The charity claims many feel abandoned after their hospital treatment ends.

Cancer patients supporting Macmillan's call have appeared in a short film, Change Cancer Care Today.

Alan Clarke, a 44-year-old dad from Newton Mearns in East Renfrewshire, was diagnosed with head and neck cancer two years ago and so far his treatment has been successful.

However, he said he panics at unusual aches and pains.

"The other morning I was just showering and I was rubbing my back and I felt a lump," he said. "The first thing that goes through your mind is, 'it's a tumour'."

Mr Clarke called his Macmillan nurse who diagnosed a pulled muscle and put his mind at rest.

"Half the battle with cancer is what goes on between your ears, not the tumour itself and that's where the Macmillan nurses are a fabulous resource," Mr Clarke said.

"With more and more people surviving cancer we either have people to fulfil that role or we block up the system with consultants and nurses having to spend their time not treating patients who are actively ill but dealing with people who are in remission."

'Reduce appointments'

Macmillan is calling on the next Scottish Parliament to ensure that every patient has access to a clinical nurse specialist to provide this kind of support from the time they are diagnosed.

Elspeth Atkinson, Macmillan Cancer Support director for Scotland, said: "While it is good news that more people are surviving a cancer diagnosis, it is vital that our health system continues to support them.

"Much more needs to be done to ensure that these growing numbers of people are given the support they need to cope with a cancer diagnosis or the consequences of its treatment."

The charity said some cancer survivors develop long-term problems following hospital treatment, which in severe cases can result in readmission.

She added: "If patients are equipped with information so that they know when they need to see a health professional or when they may need a diagnostic test, this will reduce the need for unnecessary follow-up hospital appointments."