AQW 18960/17-22
Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry
Tabled Date: 17/05/2021
Answered On Date: 10/06/2021
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail the services available for cancer survivors to help improve their quality of life and mitigate any enduring effects of the disease.
Answer:
In Northern Ireland, more people than ever are surviving after cancer diagnosis; over half of those diagnosed with cancer today will live for at least 10 years. However, not everyone is living well; as more people survive cancer, the problems associated with late effects, consequences of treatment and long term follow up will grow. You may be aware of ongoing work to develop a new Cancer Strategy for NI. The provision of treatment and ongoing support are included as part of the strategy. In addition the strategy will make recommendations which aim to improve patient experience and after care for those receiving cancer treatment and services. All the strategy recommendations have been developed with expert input from service users, nursing, charities, allied health, and medical representatives. It is envisaged that a public consultation on the draft strategy will be underway over the summer. Cancer services have undoubtedly been impacted over this past year by COVID-19. The Department is finalising a Cancer Recovery Plan in response to the pandemic. This plan makes recommendations to support cancer patients while they wait for treatment in addition to after treatment. This includes prehabilitation; prehabilitation enables people with cancer to prepare for treatment by promoting healthy behaviours and prescribing exercise, nutrition and psychological interventions where appropriate to a person’s needs. Delivery of the plan will be subject to the required level of funding.
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