Tailored Care For Cancer Survivors

All cancer survivors are set to receive personalised care plans, the Government has said.

The National Cancer Survivorship Initiative vision between the Department of Health and Macmillan Cancer Support sets out a two year objective to ensure that cancer survivors receive the support and services to meet their needs.

It states all cancer survivors should receive a personalised assessment and care plan; support to 'self-manage' their condition; information on the long-term effects of life post-treatment; and access to specialist medical care for complications that occur after cancer.

Health Minister Ann Keen said investment into care over the past decade has meant more people are now living beyond cancer.

"This is great news, but the impact of cancer does not end after treatment.

"That is why we have joined forces with Macmillan Cancer Support and are making a firm commitment that by 2012 all cancer survivors will receive the support and services they need."

National Cancer Director Mike Richards said the 1.6 million people living with and beyond cancer in England need greater medical, psychological, social, spiritual and financial help.

"We need to create services that are tailored to meet the needs of the individual, rather than the 'one size fits all' model which has been the traditional pattern of follow-up cancer care."

A survey of adult cancer survivors found 43% would have liked more information and advice, 75% did not have, or did not know if they had, a care plan.

However it also found that 96% felt they had been treated with dignity by health professionals.

Pilot studies are looking at a range of improvements to care for survivors such as telephone based support services staffed by trained cancer nurses and a three month wellness and exercise programme for cancer survivors.

(PR/GK)