This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
UK cancer patients surviving longer
A report by Macmillan Cancer Support has shown that cancer patients are twice as likely to survive for at least a decade after being diagnosed, compared to the 1970s.
The study, Cancer Then and Now, shows that more that 170,000 people in the UK who were diagnosed with cancer up to 40 years ago are still alive, and that better treatment and quicker diagnoses are some of the reasons for the diagnosis.
However, the report warned that thousands of people are struggling with the physical, emotional and financial effects of a cancer diagnosis and treatment for many years afterwards.
Professor Jane Maher, chief medical officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "We now see fewer of the big side-effects, such as an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, we saw after treatment in the 1970s and 80s.
"But some of the effects doctors consider 'small', such as fatigue and poor bowel control, can have a profound impact on someone's quality of life. Sadly there is no cancer treatment available at the moment that does not carry a risk of side-effects."
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt commented: "The fact that more people are surviving cancer is excellent news, due in no small part to the work of NHS staff who carry out the diagnosis, treatment and care to help patients beat the disease.
"To help, we announced last year that by 2020 people diagnosed with cancer in England will benefit from an individually tailored recovery package.
"This was originally developed by Macmillan Cancer Support, and I would like to pay tribute to the charity's enormous effort in this area over many years."
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