Charity calls for urgent investment in cancer care, as patients warn it’s harder to have cancer now ‘than any other time they can remember’
With significant variations in care, thousands experiencing delays to cancer treatment, lower survival rates than other countries, and major gaps in support, Macmillan is calling on the UK Government to invest in improving cancer care in this week’s Budget saying ’better is possible’
- New figures from Macmillan Cancer Support shows that one in three people with cancer say it’s harder to have cancer now than at ‘any other time they can remember’.
- Sharon Gayle, 61 from London, who has experienced cancer twice, said: “I can’t help but wonder how different my experience would have been if I was diagnosed with myeloma now, I’d have no hope.”
- One in five people going through cancer treatment in the UK are struggling with serious physical or emotional concerns yet aren’t getting the support they need.
- This is made worse for many simply because of who they are or where they live, which Macmillan says is ‘categorically unacceptable’.
- Charity spokesperson says, ‘better is possible’ and in next week’s Budget we urgently need to see the Government put adequate funding in place that will revolutionise cancer care now and in the future.
Macmillan Cancer Support is calling on the UK government to invest in improving cancer care in the Autumn Budget after new figures released today show that one in three people with cancer — equivalent to one million people across the UK — say it’s harder to have cancer now than at ‘any other time they can remember’, with many facing challenges across every area of their lives[i].
Recent NHS waiting times have been among the worst on record with people across the UK facing delays to treatment[ii]. Thousands of people with cancer are struggling to make ends meet, as the cost-of-living crisis continues to take a devastating toll on top of the extra and often unexpected, costs that can come with a diagnosis. What‘s more, one in six people with cancer who have been hit by rising costs say their mental health has deteriorated as a result[iii]. On top of this, far too many people having cancer treatment (66%) are worried that the pressures across the NHS are going to affect their chance of survival, according to the charity’s latest figures[iv].
The charity, which for over a century has been advocating for better cancer care for everyone, says that ‘cancer care is crumbling under immense pressures’ but there are things the government can do through the Budget to bring immediate support to cancer care and ensure it is transformed for the future, including funding to bring down waiting times, training to fill the staffing gaps and a commitment to tackle health inequalities.
Macmillan’s research also found that one in five people going through cancer treatment in the UK (20%) are struggling with serious physical or emotional concerns for which they are not receiving any support[v].
Further recent analysis by Macmillan shows that people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTQ+ community and those with additional long-term health conditions are significantly more likely to receive a worse experience[vi], which the charity has said is ‘categorically unacceptable’.
After going backwards and forwards to the doctors and hospital for a year in 2015, mother of three Sharon Gayle, 61, from London received the devastating news that she had myeloma and only had 6 months to live. Fortunately, Sharon’s treatment was successful, however Sharon faced another set-back in 2020 when she was treated for breast cancer.
“I was back and forth to the doctors and hospitals for a year and eventually was diagnosed with amyloidosis and myeloma where my whole life was thrown upside down.
“From the pain of telling my family and not long after I lost my job, it couldn’t have come at a worse time on top of everything else going on.
“Fortunately, my initial treatment was successful, and the 6-month prognosis has turned into 9 years. I was diagnosed again with breast cancer in 2020 but thankfully it was caught in time which was a huge relief.
“There’s a big void once treatment ends. When you get diagnosed, and are given 6 months to live, all the attention is on you. But then that all stops and you’re in a state of limbo. I never received any follow-up care or support after chemo. I was struggling, I had insomnia, low self-esteem, as well as other health issues. I felt I could no longer do any of the things I used to enjoy — through Macmillan, I was able to access valuable support, and the unwavering support of a large family and network of friends has been invaluable.
“Recognising that not everyone has the same level of support, I advocate for improved care for others facing challenges and want to use my experience to make a positive impact. I can’t help but wonder how different my experience would have been if I was diagnosed with myeloma now, I’d have no hope — I was very fortunate.’’
Steven McIntosh, Macmillan Cancer Support’s Chief Partnerships Officer, said:
“Every day we hear about the devastating impact cancer is having on all areas of people’s lives, and despite the best efforts of healthcare professionals, cancer care is crumbling under immense pressures. It is categorically unacceptable that, for many people, your cancer experience is worse depending on who you are and where you live.
“The cancer care system is unfair and broken, but better is possible. In this week’s Budget, we urgently need to see The Chancellor put adequate funding in place to successfully rebuild our NHS and improve the support people with cancer receive across all areas of their lives, both now and in the future.
“We’re encouraged by the Government launching a public conversation on the future of the NHS, it’s crucial the 10-Year Health Plan is informed by people with experience of cancer. The government can deliver real change through the Budget to both address the immediate crisis in cancer care and lay the groundwork for future improvements.”
For anyone concerned about cancer or their care, Macmillan is at the end of the phone and online to provide vital support. Call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk.
ENDS
Recent NHS waiting times have been among the worst on record with people across the UK facing delays to treatment[ii]. Thousands of people with cancer are struggling to make ends meet, as the cost-of-living crisis continues to take a devastating toll on top of the extra and often unexpected, costs that can come with a diagnosis. What‘s more, one in six people with cancer who have been hit by rising costs say their mental health has deteriorated as a result[iii]. On top of this, far too many people having cancer treatment (66%) are worried that the pressures across the NHS are going to affect their chance of survival, according to the charity’s latest figures[iv].
The charity, which for over a century has been advocating for better cancer care for everyone, says that ‘cancer care is crumbling under immense pressures’ but there are things the government can do through the Budget to bring immediate support to cancer care and ensure it is transformed for the future, including funding to bring down waiting times, training to fill the staffing gaps and a commitment to tackle health inequalities.
Macmillan’s research also found that one in five people going through cancer treatment in the UK (20%) are struggling with serious physical or emotional concerns for which they are not receiving any support[v].
Further recent analysis by Macmillan shows that people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTQ+ community and those with additional long-term health conditions are significantly more likely to receive a worse experience[vi], which the charity has said is ‘categorically unacceptable’.
After going backwards and forwards to the doctors and hospital for a year in 2015, mother of three Sharon Gayle, 61, from London received the devastating news that she had myeloma and only had 6 months to live. Fortunately, Sharon’s treatment was successful, however Sharon faced another set-back in 2020 when she was treated for breast cancer.
“I was back and forth to the doctors and hospitals for a year and eventually was diagnosed with amyloidosis and myeloma where my whole life was thrown upside down.
“From the pain of telling my family and not long after I lost my job, it couldn’t have come at a worse time on top of everything else going on.
“Fortunately, my initial treatment was successful, and the 6-month prognosis has turned into 9 years. I was diagnosed again with breast cancer in 2020 but thankfully it was caught in time which was a huge relief.
“There’s a big void once treatment ends. When you get diagnosed, and are given 6 months to live, all the attention is on you. But then that all stops and you’re in a state of limbo. I never received any follow-up care or support after chemo. I was struggling, I had insomnia, low self-esteem, as well as other health issues. I felt I could no longer do any of the things I used to enjoy — through Macmillan, I was able to access valuable support, and the unwavering support of a large family and network of friends has been invaluable.
“Recognising that not everyone has the same level of support, I advocate for improved care for others facing challenges and want to use my experience to make a positive impact. I can’t help but wonder how different my experience would have been if I was diagnosed with myeloma now, I’d have no hope — I was very fortunate.’’
Steven McIntosh, Macmillan Cancer Support’s Chief Partnerships Officer, said:
“Every day we hear about the devastating impact cancer is having on all areas of people’s lives, and despite the best efforts of healthcare professionals, cancer care is crumbling under immense pressures. It is categorically unacceptable that, for many people, your cancer experience is worse depending on who you are and where you live.
“The cancer care system is unfair and broken, but better is possible. In this week’s Budget, we urgently need to see The Chancellor put adequate funding in place to successfully rebuild our NHS and improve the support people with cancer receive across all areas of their lives, both now and in the future.
“We’re encouraged by the Government launching a public conversation on the future of the NHS, it’s crucial the 10-Year Health Plan is informed by people with experience of cancer. The government can deliver real change through the Budget to both address the immediate crisis in cancer care and lay the groundwork for future improvements.”
For anyone concerned about cancer or their care, Macmillan is at the end of the phone and online to provide vital support. Call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk.
ENDS
Fact box - How cancer can disrupt every part of someone's life
- More than one in four people with cancer in the UK (29%) have multiple concerns across at least four major areas of their lives — physical, emotional, practical and financial[vii]
- This rises to 34% of people with cancer who are ethnically diverse, 36% of people with cancer who are LGBTQ+, and 43% of people with cancer who have a disability[viii]
- Four in five people with cancer in the UK (83%) experience a financial impact from their diagnosis, which for those affected reaches more than £1,000 a month on average[ix]
- One in four people with cancer of working age (24%) have serious concerns about work or education as a result of their diagnosis[x]
- One in four people with cancer who have young or teenage children (25%) have serious concerns about being able to look after them or other dependents[xi]
- One in five people with cancer (19%) are struggling with everyday tasks such as shopping, housework and even washing or dressing themselves[xii]
About Macmillan Cancer Support:
At Macmillan, we give people with cancer everything we’ve got. If you’re diagnosed, your worries are our worries. We will do whatever it takes to help you live life as fully as you can. And we don’t stop there. We’re going all out to find ever better ways to help people with cancer, helping to bring forward the day when everyone gets life-transforming support from day one. As cancer is evolving, so must we. Macmillan will not settle for anything other than the best possible support for people living with cancer. As a charity, we can’t afford to stand still. Now more than ever, we need to take every chance to make a difference. But we cannot do it alone. We have been working with others for over 100 years and will continue to do so. So, we’re working to create a vision of Macmillan that is shaped side by side with the people and communities we exist to support. To find out more about how Macmillan is doing this visit Macmillan's strategy.