This article discusses in-depth interviews of 12 persons, who had been diagnosed for cancer from 6 months to 3 years earlier, concerning what it is like to live with the diagnosis of cancer. The persons interviewed were aged 43-70 years, and 11 of the 12 had received successful radical treatment; one patient was treated for symptoms, but with an uncertain future development. This investigation shows that the period of waiting from the first suspicion of cancer until diagnosis confirmation of the disease was a period of great stress, and that the following period until the commencement of treatment was also a very difficult one. The investigation also shows that there was no follow-up of individual patients concerning their need to talk about their difficult new life-situation brought about by the disease. Receiving the diagnosis of cancer was remembered as being a very dramatic experience for the informants. The informants were satisfied with the medical treatment they received, but they also feel that there should have been some kind of programme available to care for their psycho-social needs. In the rehabilitation phase, they feel that they were left to their own resources; during this period, they felt physically and mentally drained, and they did not have the knowledge to tackle their new and difficult life-situation. The threat of new cancer cells being discovered is always with patients. Attending the check-ups is also described as a period of stress.

Health personnel need to take more responsibility for the follow-up of persons with cancer throughout all stages of illness. More concern should be paid particularly to psychosocial needs.

Cancer is one of the most serious and widespread diseases known. Statistics show that of about 4 million Norwegians, every third person will be afflicted by some form of cancer during one's lifetime. Around 20,000 Norwegians receive this diagnosis yearly. People who have cancer often indicate that they feel neglected after they have received the diagnosis and perhaps hospital treatment. This article describes a survey in which a questionnaire was employed to map the services and post-treatment care offered by county health services to cancer patients. The form was sent to 199 persons between the age of 18 and 70, all of whom had been diagnosed with cancer from 6 months to 3 years earlier. The questionnaire was addressed directly to the patients, and distributed by mail. Both the Regional Medical Ethics Committee and the Information Protection Agency gave their approval with respect to how the patients and control group were selected, and to the general procedures used in the project. Eighty-six questionnaires were filled out and returned, giving a response rate of 43%. Of those who returned the form, 44 were women and 42 were men. Their average age was 57 years. The majority of those who responded to the questionnaire had been diagnosed for cancer at least 2 years earlier. Of the responding patients, 49 persons said that they had been declared cured, 25 answered that they were still ill and 12 did not reply to this question. The survey results indicate that few services or training programmes had been offered to the patients after their treatment was completed. This conclusion is corroborated by a questionnaire filled out by doctors and administrative leaders in the home-nursing programme as part of the same project. The cancer patients had not been clearly informed whether they should contact the hospital or the health services in their home county if they needed assistance. The patients also expressed a desire for better information and a more systematic post-treatment programme, as well as clear guidelines delineating the specific areas of responsibility assigned to hospitals and the local public health services.

Aim: To carry through a training program for nurses in preparation an Individual plan (IP) for cancer patients and then explore what experiences the nurses acquires after going through this program. Background: Among the nurses there was a wide opinion about that cancer patients exceptionally received one drowned up IP; one legalized right from the year 2001. One idea upraises to working through one training program in IP for nurses. Method: These study use a qualitative design based up on teaching program in IP and focus group interview to explore which experiences the nurses acquires after going through the training program. Findings: The analyses show that IP not at all are integrated in the everyday's practical work and the responsibility for IP is pulverized. As this is a working task taking time, the nurses are dependent on that colleagues have knowledge about IP and accept that this task taking time. Conclusion: Results shows that training program in IP has a value and that training is necessary to implement IP. The right to IP must be anchor in the management. KEY WORDS: Individual plan (IP), training program, implementation, focus group interview, cancer patient. at HEC Montreal on June 25, 2015 njn.sagepub.com Downloaded from

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Background: Among nurses, there was a general opinion that cancer patients are rarely receiving an IP. The IP is very important in achieving the patient's collaboration regarding decision making. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore and document obstacles regarding why the nurses are not preparing an Individual plan (IP) for cancer patients when they are in need of multiple services from the health care sector. Method: This study used a Mixed Methods design. Results: The respondents comprised of 68 nurses and 35 leaders. Available time for writing up an IP was mentioned as an obstacle among 44 prosent of the participants. The results showed that 47 prosent were, to a lesser degree, comfortable with the system and capable of working out an IP. Among the participants, 63 prosent answered that the impetus to write up an IP has to be upon instruction from the leader. Conclusion: Obligation from the leader to complete IPs for cancer patients, and availability of time among the nursing staff to do so, are the necessary conditions to fulfil the right for those with cancer to have their IP.

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