Supportive care and the use of relaxation therapy in a district cancer service

Abstract

Psychological problems commonly follow the diagnosis, treatment and progression of cancer (Maguire, 1983). Effective communication between patient and doctor can reduce some of these problems, notably anxiety, but patients still feel the need for emotional support as evidenced by the distressing case histories which appear in the lay press from time to time, the large number of patient-led self-helf groups of which there are about 440 in the UK, the demand for the services of CancerLink and BACUP (15,500 and 18,000 telephone calls respectively in 1990) and the increasing interest in alternative and complementary treatment practices.Cancer services are organised around modalities of treatment and the wider issues of convenience, accessibility and emotional support have not been taken into account. A strong plea has been made for supportive care to be part of any cancer service (Smith, 1990) and it is likely that this view will gain force as patients become more assertive in the new-style health service. In the planning of cancer services it would be useful to know what the likely4emand for supportive care would be.We have described a system of delivering supportive care in a district cancer service (McIllmurray et al., 1986

Cancer support nurses: a co-ordinating role in cancer care

“…In particular, psychosocial support is an integral part of these services and is available to patients and carers from the time of diagnosis (McIllmurray & Holdcroft, 1993). Treatments can be unpleasant, disfiguring and prolonged, and most patients will eventually die from their disease.…”

“…Cancer services in North Lancastashire and South Lakeland fulfil these requirements. In particular, psychosocial support is an integral part of these services and is available to patients and carers from the time of diagnosis (McIllmurray & Holdcroft, 1993). A key worker is used to ensure that people access any of the services at the appropriate time and that they receive adequate informa-tion, support and advice throughout the course of the illness.…”