Cancer care must improve says charity

Published on Tuesday 30 June 2009 09:43

PEOPLE living with cancer are continuing to suffer years after leaving hospital because the effects of treatment are not properly explained to them.

Following a wide-ranging survey, Macmillan Cancer Support claims too many victims were never told the extent of the damage medication and the cancer itself would cause.

More than 44 per cent of patients polled said they did not realise they would suffer any long-term side effects.

Elspeth Atkinson, Macmillan's director in Scotland, said: "It is good news that more people than ever before are surviving cancer but we know that the impact of a cancer diagnosis does not suddenly stop when treatment is over.

"Little emphasis has been placed on the late effects of cancer so people are often left to cope alone."

She said the study highlighted the need for cancer survivors to be given better support.