(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Long-term cancer survivors aren’t getting the
guidance and care needed during a crucial time, according to a group of Scottish
researchers. A recent study found many patients have finished their oncology
treatments but are not receiving support to manage their ongoing symptoms.
“The impact of cancer and cancer treatment on the long-term health of survivors
is substantial and many of them remain very symptomatic, with poor quality of
life. Clearly a proportion will unfortunately be diagnosed with recurrent cancer
at some point,” Professor Marie Fallon was quoted as saying. Fallon is a
professor of palliative medicine at the University of Edinburgh. Palliative
medicine is any form of medical care concentrating on reducing the severity of
disease related symptoms.
After treatment, cancer survivors can experience an array of problems and
symptoms including pain, sexual difficulties and lymphoedema, the chronic
swelling caused by the failure of lymph glands to drain properly, often
triggered by surgery and radiotherapy. They also face psychological problems
like depression and anxiety. Dr. Fallon and her colleagues have published their
research and recommendations in a special issue of the European Journal of
Cancer focusing on palliative care.
SOURCE: European Journal of Cancer, 2008;44:1069-1071
