More people are surviving cancer than ever before, but living with cancer and the side effects of treatment can affect people’s physical, emotional and social wellbeing.
That’s why we encourage everyone who recieves an NHS Cancer Quality of Life Survey to complete it, so they can better understand how they are coping and feel empowered to discuss any support they need with a healthcare professional.
As a Cancer Alliance, we want to better understand the challenges people living with and beyond cancer are facing, so that we can work with local NHS services to ensure they are addressing the needs of patients.
What is the NHS Cancer Quality of Life Survey and how does it help patients?
Your physical health, emotional wellbeing and perceived level of comfort and happiness can all contribute to your quality of life.
The NHS Cancer Quality of Life Survey is sent to people around 18 months after their cancer diagnosis. Respondents are asked to report on how they are coping with everyday activities, record any symptoms they may be experiencing and tell us how they are feeling.
Completing the survey can help people to facilitate conversations with their healthcare professional about the support and help they need to improve their quality of life.
If you’ve completed the survey and have concerns, you can make an appointment with your GP, nurse or cancer support worker. The information you share will help your healthcare professional to understand exactly what matters most to you and refer you to services that can support you further.
What do patients across south east London tell us about their quality of life?
The latest NHS Quality of Life Survey report has revealed that people diagnosed with cancer in south east London rate their quality of life quite highly but slightly below that of the general population.
The results also show that many people experience anxiety and depression, feel fatigued and have difficulties sleeping.
However, not everyone who receives the survey is completing it.
Samantha Tordesillas, Programme Manager for Personalised Cancer Care at the South East London Cancer Alliance, said: “It’s important that we hear from people of all ages and ethnicities who have received a cancer diagnosis, so that we can create a package of support that can be easily accessed and is appropriate for all.”
If you’d like to find out more about the survey or require support in accessing and completing the questions, please contact: gst-tr.selca@nhs.net
How SELCA works with local NHS services to improve support for patients?
We work with local NHS services to identify areas of support that can be put in place to ensure all patients who receive a cancer diagnosis get the help they need.
At SELCA, we are using the findings from the survey to improve access to psychosocial support and physical activity programmes to ensure cancer patients across south east London are keeping active during treatment.
To view the full results visit www.cancerdata.nhs.uk/cancerqol.