North East cancer charity says we need a more holistic approach to cancer care
Macmillan found that the number of people living with cancer in the UK will hit 3.4 million this year
A North East cancer support charity says it is sad to think that the number of people living with cancer could hit 3.4 million this year.
It is after figures from Macmillan found that roughly half a million more people across the UK will be living with cancer in 2025 compared to five years ago.
Cases are being fuelled by a growing and ageing population, a gradual rise in survival rates for some types of the disease and a rise in people diagnosed with cancers such as thyroid, liver and melanoma.
Macmillan warned that the experience of having cancer is getting worse for many people, with delays to treatment and sometimes a postcode lottery of care.
Joanne Smith is the founder and Chief Executive of FACT cancer support charity and says that we need a more holistic approach to cancer care.
She said: "We do have to keep in mind that we are detecting more cancers, we're getting better at diagnosing cancer, so that has to be taken into account. But certainly, modern lifestyles aren't keeping us healthy.
"We're very lucky in the North East that we have some fantastic facilities and some of the best treatments available to people with cancer, but it is very frustrating that people do have to wait.
"A delay to a cancer diagnosis receiving treatment can have a huge outcome difference as well as to whether that cancer is successfully treated or not.
"Obviously, detection treatment is critical that needs to be done, but we also need to think about supporting people whilst they're going through treatment and beyond the treatment.
"We need to support the wider family and friendship group and carers as well. Cancer isn't something that's done by one person and if we don't look after everybody who's affected then the person at the centre won't get the care and support that they really need.
"We live in tough times. Generally, poverty is high, support services are reducing, people's families don't all live close to each other. Community isn't necessarily what it used to be. All of this makes it that bit tougher when you're dealing with something like cancer.
"Real life doesn't stop just because you have cancer, so you still have responsibilities as a parent or a grandparent or a partner or a sibling. You still have financial responsibilities, employment responsibilities."