news.bbc.co.uk — More than 60% of adults with cancer can expect to live five years or more, according to an article in the European Journal of Cancer.Yet they are left "in limbo" to deal with ongoing symptoms from their disease or harsh cancer treatments.
May 29, 2008 View in Crawl 4
ribbysMay 29, 2008
Im a Canadian, and guess what, we have government run health care. I work in the rehabilitation field as a case worker where I see all kinds of diagnoses. The Canadian system has very good after care for cancer surriviors. Any treatment/therapy required is provided from 3-6 month regular checkups for to look for cancer reoccurance (this goes on for many years after usually), physical rehab, and also psychological therapy.The UK just seems to have not setup a similar system, but this article suggests they will move into that direction.If you think a private medical system is needed for good cancer aftercare, you are a fool.
clergMay 29, 2008
My Wife is a Stage 4 breast cancer patient for the last 9+ years. She has outlived all her prognosis and has a great Oncologist. But I question the quality of life she has experienced over time. They have had to be fairly agressive with her Chemo and she pretty much feels like s**t all the time. She has bone metastisis throughout her body and is in constant pain one way or the other. With the stupid attitude towards drugs in this country the strongest thing she can get is Vicodin/Oxy which doesn't even phase her pain most days. I would have quit a long time ago given that it cannot be cured, but she is made of stronger stuff than I. The Federal gov't needs to get the hell out of patient/doctor business, quit worrying that someone might get high and have some compassion for people in this condition. They should let them get whatever drugs they need to have a somewhat acceptable quality of life whether in treatment or not...
Closed AccountMay 29, 2008
It's not a case of hoping the cancer doesn't return; cancer patients still recieve check-ups after they have been cured. The problem is with the NHS only having incentive to cure patients, and so dealing with the after effects can be over-looked. On the other hand, a poster further down argues that private hospitals do the same, and the main reason for this story is because the government is looking to improve its care for surviving patients.
Closed AccountMay 29, 2008
I wouldn't say you have no opinions- i don't know about cancer care, since thankfully neither me or anyone close to me has had to go through that, but in other areas doctors will still treat you by a different course if you refuse what they believe best. I would imagine there are less options than there are in private care though.Freedom does beat socialism, but if your income means you don't have the money to be afforded such freedom, I suspect you might side with socialism.
glassagateMay 30, 2008
Sorry, but I really don't care for conspiracy theories.Let's bury this comment, fellow Diggers..
pharmacistmikeJun 9, 2008
The issue of cancer survivorship services is a very imporant one given the increased numbers of long-term survivors. The Lance Aromstrong Foundation is just one organization trying to change this. Another is, I'm Too Young For This, which deals with "younger" cancer patient issues.As a survivor, I have formed the Testicular Cancer Society, this organization will not only raise awareness about testicular cancer but make informed patients and then be there to help transform them from patients to survivors. I truely believe that helping the aforementioned organizations, just to name a few, will ultimately help survivors here in the U.S. and some abroad.Just my two cents.
aadautechNov 6, 2009
Cancer survivors should consult their physician or qualified health professional before initiating any therapies that are alternative or complementary to conventional therapies. Cancer survivors should keep all of the health professionals involved in providing any treatment fully informed of their choices in these areas. <a class="user" href="http://blog.aadautech.com/" rel="nofollow">http://blog.aadautech.com/</a>