Scots cancer patients 'being failed by NHS'

Published on Thursday 14 August 2008 22:38

CANCER patients in Scotland are being "failed" by the NHS because of the focus on the disease rather than the whole person, researchers said yesterday.

A study by the Cancer Care Research Centre (CCRC) at the University of Stirling found that, although treatment was often good, patients' emotional and psychological needs were sometimes ignored.

Researchers have now called for the NHS in Scotland to make "radical changes" to the way it supports people with cancer.

Last night, campaigners welcomed the report, saying a cancer diagnosis often left people feeling isolated and afraid.

Around 27,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed in Scotland a year but, despite improvements in treatment, survival rates trail other European countries.

Professor Nora Kearney, whose team spoke to 2,000 patients, carers and health professionals across Scotland, said: "We are still failing people with cancer in Scotland.

"A new model for cancer care is required that addresses the whole experience of the patient. We have to treat the person as well as the disease.

"As well as making sure people in Scotland can have the best medical management for cancer, we must also provide support for the social and psychological issues people with cancer have identified as important."

The CCRC's report found that patients' mental needs were often ignored, meaning they could experience "a lack of a culture of caring" and feel disrespected and isolated.

Macmillan Cancer Support said that following treatment, patients could experience fears of their cancer returning and face issues such as infertility.

Elspeth Atkinson, the charity's director for Scotland, said: "This report reflects what people affected by cancer have been telling us for some time.

"A cancer diagnosis does not just affect people medically, but can have a huge impact on the whole of someone's life.

"The Scottish Government has a great opportunity through its new cancer strategy to ensure everyone affected by cancer receives the medical, physical, practical, financial and emotional support they need to deal with the full impact of a diagnosis."

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Work is under way on updating the Scottish Cancer Plan, which is expected to focus on all aspects of qualitative care for people with cancer."

IN NUMBERS

12,749

Number of men in Scotland diagnosed with cancer in 2005

13,760

Number of Scottish women diagnosed with cancer in 2005

17%

Increase in survival among men with cancer in past 20 years

13%

Increase in survival for Scottish women in last 20 years

15,025

Deaths from cancer in Scotland in 2006