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Public consulted on cancer
 Cancer patients could help to revamp services |
Cancer sufferers are to be asked for their opinions of the treatment they received as part of an exercise to drive up standards of care.
Advertisements are to be placed in national newspapers on Wednesday inviting people with personal experience of cancer to respond to the statement: "I have or have had cancer. The one thing that made or would make a positive difference to my experience of cancer is..."
The campaign entitled Open Space has been launched by Macmillan Cancer Relief, whose work includes providing expert treatment and care through specialist nurses and doctors to cancer sufferers.
 Yvette Cooper backs the campaign |
She said: "The Government aims to build a world-beating cancer service in this country, and to make sure that everyone has equal and ready access to it.
"Achieving this will require determined and effective action. To do this it is vital that we listen to what patients themselves want."
This is the first time that this method has been used to ask people about their experience of cancer.
It is hoped that because the responses can be made anonymously, people will be encouraged to speak out.
The results are expected to be ready early in the New Year and will be presented to the Government as well as used by the charity to shape its own services.
'This could make a real difference'
 We want to make a real difference for people living with cancer  |
| Nicholas Young, chief executive at Macmillan Cancer Relief |
"We hope that this informal method will encourage as many people as possible to tell us what they think."
The survey comes after it was announced earlier this month that an investigation was to be launched into the state of Britain's cancer services after evidence that that the NHS was failing to provide the best treatment and care.
Replies must be received by December 3, either by completing a newspaper coupon and returning it to a Freepost address, or by visiting the Macmillan Cancer Relief website.
Extra copies of the questionnaire are also available from the Macmillan Information Line on 0845 601 6161.
In the UK, one in three people will get cancer.
The aim of Macmillan Cancer Relief is to work towards a system when everyone will have equal and ready access to the best information, treatment and care for cancer.
The charity funds specialist Macmillan nurses and doctors, buildings for cancer treatment and care and grants for patients in financial difficulties
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See also: | |
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 | 09 Nov 99 | Health |
| UK cancer care 'fails patients' |
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| 02 Oct 99 | Health |
| Can Labour halt Britain's cancer shame? |
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| 25 Oct 99 | Health |
| Cancer supremo targets 100,000 lives |
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| 27 Aug 99 | Health |
| Cancer deaths fall in Europe |
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