Cancer Rates Rise Rapidly

The number of Scots with cancer is enough to fill Hampden four times, that's according to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Figures also show an additional 33, 000 people have been diagnosed in the last five years.

The total number of people living with cancer rests at approximately 220, 000.

Macmillan say many patients will need support to cope with the long term impacts cancer can often have, from physical side effects like extreme fatigue to psychological problems.
 
Macmillan's head in Scotland, Janice Preston, said: "With the number of people living with cancer increasing each year, the seriousness of the challenge facing us cannot be overstated.
 
"The current NHS system was not set up to deal with the needs of such a huge number of people who have survived cancer but who often continue to require considerable support.
 
"Without a complete transformation in how people are supported after their treatment ends, there is no way patients will get the support they desperately need, whether that’s help to cope at home, financial help or even emotional support.
 
"It's vital the Scottish Government, NHS and Social Care Services use the  forthcoming integration of health and social care to recognise the scale of the challenge and commit to making the big changes needed to meet it." 

48-year-old dad of two Alan Clarke was diagnosed with head and neck cancer in 2008.

Alan, from Newton Mearns, underwent a 12-hour operation as well as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Alan said: "It's only once treatment finishes and one is back living a 'normal' life that just how not normal things will ever be again strikes home.  

"For me that impacted on my work as I could no longer do my old job. It impacted on me emotionally, leaving me dealing with many mental gremlins. 

"It also impacted on my everyday communication as the chemo affected my hearing, and the surgery and radiotherapy affected my speech.

"People who've been through cancer treatment see professionals at prescribed times but issues don't crop up on a prescribed schedule so one is left to either just get on with things or to impose on the medical people's busy schedules. There needs to be a more flexible and dynamic approach."