There are now 2.5 million people living with cancer in the UK and this number has grown by 400,000 in the last 5 years. With improvements in early detection and advances in treatments, cancer is changing and people are living longer with or beyond cancer.
The National Cancer Survivorship Initiative piloted the introduction and evaluation of 14 Health and Wellbeing Events for individuals with cancer between 2010 to March 2011. The pilots tested a range of models; tailored to the specific needs of the patient group. The evaluation found that the clinics/events enhanced quality of care, improved patient reported outcomes and reduced patients’ use of health services (1).
Other key findings from the NCSI evaluation include (1):
- Greater physical wellbeing. Individuals describe benefitting from advice on diet and exercise and referrals to physiotherapy/dietetic services, as well as receiving information about side effects (which led some patients to change medication, with positive effects)
- Increased ability to manage emotional distress and increased participation in social activities.
- Reduced need to use GP and district nursing services.
- That the informal atmosphere of the events enhances the delivery of health and wellbeing information
- That the clinics have a significant ‘reassuring’ role. Individuals reported that they felt better knowing what services are open to them and how to access these
- They valued the group discussions – this assisted to minimise isolation and confirm what is ‘normal’ to experience and feel for a person who has been diagnosed with cancer.
- The events work well at earlier stages in the pathway too
- Family and carers can also benefit from attending the events
- Palin, J., Ryrie, R., Smith, l., Khanna,M.,Pralat, R. Evaluation of Health and Wellbeing Clinics: final report. 2011.