At least 120,000 cancer patients a year aren’t given all the info they need, charity warns
AT least 120,000 cancer patients a year are not given all the info they need, a charity warns.
They report missing out on key data including treatment options, potential side-effects or the impact on their life.
One in five recently treated for cancer in England complained that there were not always enough nurses on duty to care for them.
One in four did not have possible side-effects fully explained before starting treatment.
More than a third — 39 per cent — were not told about the longer-term side-effects.
And one in seven did not have the treatment options fully outlined beforehand, according to figures from Macmillan Cancer Support.
It blames an NHS staffing crisis and a shortage of specialist cancer nurses.
Louise Bartha, 46, of Brighton, was diagnosed with three types of cancer in three years.
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She said: “Thousands of questions flooded my head but most went unanswered because busy staff weren’t able to focus on anything but my immediate care.
“As a result my worry and anxiety piled up.”
Macmillan chief exec Lynda Thomas said: “Only a clear plan to grow and train the cancer workforce will help us escape this downwards spiral.”
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