Patients left searching for cancer advice

THE majority of cancer patients leave hospital without any knowledge of how to cope with the effects of their illness and treatment.

A study by Macmillan Cancer Support has found that two-thirds of people discharged from hospital go home with insufficient information.

Its claim has been backed up by a West Lothian cancer patient who was forced to contact the charity after becoming isolated.

Sixty-six-year-old Mary Mason, from Livingston, was diagnosed with throat cancer two years ago and has endured extensive surgery to deal with the illness.

She said: "I feel that the emotional impact of the cancer and the surgery was completely disregarded. The medical treatment I received was second to none but I left hospital feeling vulnerable, isolated and frightened."