Life after cancer treatment

• Just because cancer treatment has ended and less time is spent attending hospital appointments, doesn’t always mean life goes back to the way it was before a cancer diagnosis.
• Living with physical or emotional problems for months – or even years – after treatment ends is all too common.
• From chronic pain and fatigue, to eating issues, incontinence, panic attacks or depression, life after treatment for many people can be just as tough as cancer treatment itself, and can severely impact on someone’s quality of life.
• People often don’t know what to expect or where to turn for help after treatment ends. They can feel abandoned at a time when they need support to get back on their feet.

We believe everyone should have access to the support they need after cancer treatment ends to live well.

• To have their needs identified and a plan put in place to address any issues.
• To get the right practical, physical, emotional and financial support at the time they need it, during and after treatment.
• To be given the confidence and tools to manage their own health, so they are aware of what support is available and feel empowered to raise concerns with their healthcare professionals.

The story so far

In late 2017, over 2300 people invited their local MP to Macmillan’s World‘s Biggest Coffee Morning to learn more about life after cancer treatment.

99% of MPs in England were invited by campaigners to the Coffee Morning, and a record-breaking 126 MPs came along to meet people like Frances to hear more about the challenges they faced after cancer treatment ended.

What next?

Look out for more coming soon on the campaign to make sure people have access to the right support after cancer treatment.

In the meantime:

• Sign up as a e-campaigner to receive the latest updates on how you can get involved in our future life after cancer treatment campaign across the UK.
• Why not tell your MP why the issue of support after treatment matters to you by using our new tool?

In 2015 the UK Government committed to making sure everyone with cancer in England receives personalised care and support after their treatment ends by 2020.

The clock is ticking. We now need to see progress so that the Government can deliver on this promise and make sure everyone has access to the support they need after cancer treatment.

This means that by 2020, people who have finished their cancer treatment should have access to a ‘Recovery Package’.

The new cancer plan in Scotland [PDF] commits to Macmillan’s call to ensure that every patient receives an Holistic Needs Assessment and care plan.

We will be working to ensure this pledge is met so that people have access to support after their cancer treatment finishes.

Macmillan believes that to achieve the best outcomes following a cancer diagnosis, person centred care must be at the heart of service delivery. Only by focusing on the whole person, can the patient’s experience during their cancer pathway be as good as it can possibly be. This is true for those who survive cancer, are living with or beyond cancer or someone who is nearing the end of life.

Person centred care remains a key aspiration within the Cancer Delivery Plan and Macmillan will work with the Welsh Government and the NHS to deliver it across Wales.

Byw gyda Chanser a Thu Hwnt

Cred Macmillan, er mwyn cyflawni’r canlyniadau gorau yn dilyn diagnosis o ganser, bod yn rhaid i ofal sydd yn canolbwyntio ar y person fod wrth wraidd darparu gwasanaeth. Dim ond trwy ganolbwyntio ar y person cyfan y gall profiad y claf ar eu llwybr trwy ganser fod cystal ag y gall fod. Mae hyn yn wir am y rheiny sy’n goroesi canser, yn byw gyda chanser neu y tu hwnt iddo neu rywun sydd yn agosáu at ddiwedd eu hoes.

Mae gofal sy'n canolbwyntio ar y person yn dal yn uchelgais allweddol yn y Cynllun Cyflenwi Canser a bydd Macmillan yn gweithio gyda Llywodraeth Cymru a'r GIG i'w gyflenwi ledled Cymru.

We are calling on all political parties to commit to making sure the ‘Recovery Package’ is available to every patient progressing through and beyond treatment for cancer, so people get the support they need after treatment.

¹Figures quoted from expert consensus collated as part of Macmillan Cancer Support (2013) Throwing light on the consequences of cancer and its treatment. 

Consensus was reached by consulting with a range of UK experts in the field, including members of the National Cancer Survivorship Initiative (NCSI) Board, the NCSI Pelvic Cancers Project Steering Group, the Consequences of Cancer and its Treatment Collaborative (CCaT) and other leading researchers and professional societies.