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| Cancer patients needs 'ignored' | Cancer patients needs 'ignored' |
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| Thousands of patients who have come through cancer are having their health needs ignored, according to a leading support charity. | Thousands of patients who have come through cancer are having their health needs ignored, according to a leading support charity. |
| MacMillan estimates that by the year 2030 the number of people who survive cancer in Wales will double to more than 200,000. | MacMillan estimates that by the year 2030 the number of people who survive cancer in Wales will double to more than 200,000. |
| But the charity claims many do not have access to the support they need. | But the charity claims many do not have access to the support they need. |
| The Welsh Assembly Government said its cancer strategy recognised the need for continued care. | The Welsh Assembly Government said its cancer strategy recognised the need for continued care. |
| But MacMillan said 84% of patients experienced a health problem in the first year after cancer treatment, and it is calling for individual care plans. | But MacMillan said 84% of patients experienced a health problem in the first year after cancer treatment, and it is calling for individual care plans. |
| The introduction of a care plan could benefit patients like Peter Thomas from Carmarthenshire, who was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma in October 2007. | The introduction of a care plan could benefit patients like Peter Thomas from Carmarthenshire, who was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma in October 2007. |
| You've got to come to terms with what you've just been through - its very, very hard Cancer survivor Peter Thomas | You've got to come to terms with what you've just been through - its very, very hard Cancer survivor Peter Thomas |
| Doctors found an 11cm growth in his chest, and he underwent intense chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a stem cell transplant, which affected his immune system. | Doctors found an 11cm growth in his chest, and he underwent intense chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a stem cell transplant, which affected his immune system. |
| In April 2009, Mr Thomas was given the good news that he was in remission, but his initial elation was followed by very different emotions. | In April 2009, Mr Thomas was given the good news that he was in remission, but his initial elation was followed by very different emotions. |
| "Your whole life is turned upside down," Mr Thomas said. | "Your whole life is turned upside down," Mr Thomas said. |
| "You've got to come to terms with what you've just been through - its very, very hard." | "You've got to come to terms with what you've just been through - its very, very hard." |
| He still suffers from chronic fatigue and some short term memory loss - he describes life after being given the all-clear for cancer as entering a void. | He still suffers from chronic fatigue and some short term memory loss - he describes life after being given the all-clear for cancer as entering a void. |
| He added: "To be told at the end of it - 'that's it, thanks very much', then you are on your own then - there is nobody there to try and help you with it." | He added: "To be told at the end of it - 'that's it, thanks very much', then you are on your own then - there is nobody there to try and help you with it." |
| According to MacMillan Cancer Support, that sense of abandonment is common among cancer survivors who have come through successful treatment. | According to MacMillan Cancer Support, that sense of abandonment is common among cancer survivors who have come through successful treatment. |
| Peter Thomas said getting over cancer is an emotional as well as physical struggle | |
| "The provision of services across Wales is very patchy and very random," said Cath Lindley, the charity's general manager for Wales. | "The provision of services across Wales is very patchy and very random," said Cath Lindley, the charity's general manager for Wales. |
| "What we want to see is that everyone who finishes cancer treatment gets their own care plan that sets out what their support will be going forward." | "What we want to see is that everyone who finishes cancer treatment gets their own care plan that sets out what their support will be going forward." |
| Research for MacMillan shows that at the end of 2008, there were around 108,000 people in Wales either living with cancer, or who has been through treatment. | Research for MacMillan shows that at the end of 2008, there were around 108,000 people in Wales either living with cancer, or who has been through treatment. |
| That figure is increasing at a rate of over 3% a year, thanks to successful new treatments and earlier intervention. | That figure is increasing at a rate of over 3% a year, thanks to successful new treatments and earlier intervention. |
| The Welsh Assembly Government said its current cancer strategy recognised the need for continued care. | The Welsh Assembly Government said its current cancer strategy recognised the need for continued care. |
| A spokesman added: "Our plan, Designed to Tackle Cancer in Wales, recognises the important part that education, support and ongoing care plays in the treatment and care of cancer patients. | A spokesman added: "Our plan, Designed to Tackle Cancer in Wales, recognises the important part that education, support and ongoing care plays in the treatment and care of cancer patients. |
| "And our National Cancer Standards, published in 2005, lay out the level of care and support patients with cancer can expect to receive. | "And our National Cancer Standards, published in 2005, lay out the level of care and support patients with cancer can expect to receive. |
| "Ultimately, it is a matter for clinicians to determine the care for their patients and to provide the appropriate treatment for their condition or conditions." | "Ultimately, it is a matter for clinicians to determine the care for their patients and to provide the appropriate treatment for their condition or conditions." |