In England, patients with cancer have been missing out on basic information about their disease due to a lack of staff in the National Health Service (NHS), according to Macmillan Cancer Support.
Macmillan Cancer Support is a charity that provides specialist health care, information, and financial support to people having cancer. The charity also looks at the social, emotional and practical impact cancer can have on people. It also raises awareness and campaigns for better cancer care.
The charity said more than 120,000 patients a year felt they were not fully explained about the disease, including its treatments and side effects.
Macmillan Cancer Support officials said most people with cancer are missing out on the basic information because of an increasing staffing pressure, leaving them “in the dark” about how to get prepared.
The charity questioned more than 70,000 patients who underwent cancer treatment in England and found that nearly 40 percent of those questioned said they were not fully explained about the longer-term side-effects of cancer treatment, equating to about 120,000 patients a year.
In addition, more than 25 percent of patients said they were not fully explained about the potential side effects before the start of the treatment, while one in five said there were not enough nurses on duty to take care of them.
Macmillan Cancer Support warned that due to lack of information and support, “patients may feel uncertain about treatment, feel forced to give up a job or feel unsure about how to prepare for the impact cancer might have on them physically, financially and emotionally.”
“Cancer survival rates and patient satisfaction levels with their cancer care were at record highs,” said an NHS England spokesperson. “The vast majority of patients were given the name of a clinical nurse specialist to support them through their treatment, which is testament to the hard work and compassion of NHS staff.”
