By
Cancer Council NSW
Why cancer survivors need more support to live well after treatment
By
Cancer Council NSW
We want the next NSW Government to have a state-wide plan to ensure people are supported to live well after a cancer diagnosis.
The current system doesn’t address the needs of cancer survivors
We conducted a survey to learn more about cancer survivors experience once acute treatment was finished. This showed us that of the participants, a third of people with a past cancer diagnosis reported having challenges when needing information about access to services to help them manage their ongoing physical and mental health needs.
People across the state with a past cancer diagnosis have high unmet needs including uncertainty about the future, tiredness, fear about cancer spreading, anxiety and help completing daily tasks, after treatment has finished.
Our survey participants expressed feeling as though they are “left in limbo” once acute cancer treatment is over.
Cancer care doesn’t stop after treatment
Brad Gellert, Manager of Policy and Advocacy at Cancer Council NSW says“the effects of cancer don’t stop after treatment and people should have access to ongoing support.”
Our findings show that the current system is not addressing the emotional and physical impact of cancer that continues well after a person finishes treatment. “Unlike Victoria and South Australia, NSW has no state-wide plan to help support people to live well after a cancer diagnosis” He concludes.
As cancer cases rise, there is a need for change
Over the next 25 years, there will be a 51% increase in new cancer diagnoses in Australia. As more people will be living with cancer, there’s never been a more important time to improve the quality of survivorship care.
Unlike Victoria and South Australia, NSW has no state-wide plan to help support people to live well after a cancer diagnosis. Without a plan, we’re planning to fail.
Join us in calling for change
We are calling on the next NSW Government in the leadup to the NSW State Election this month, to commit to developing a plan to ensure people can access the support they need beyond their cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Support people affected by cancer in NSW to live well during and after treatment by signing the petition for Cancer Council NSW’s Here for Change campaign at cancercouncil.com.au/petition
About Here For Change – Cancer Council NSW’s pre-election campaign:
Cancer Council NSW is standing by everyone living with cancer, protecting life’s moments, for life, but we need the NSW government to join us. Ahead of the March 2023 state election, we’re calling on the next NSW government to be Here for Change by committing to at least one of our four election priorities:
- Invest in cancer prevention - so more people can live a cancer free life
- Improve early detection and diagnosis of bowel cancer - so more lives can be saved.
- Introduce the highest standards of cancer care – so people with cancer receive the best possible care, no matter who they are or where they live.
- Support people to live well during and after a cancer diagnosis – so they can live a higher quality of life.
Sign the petition at cancercouncil.com.au/petition
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