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Monday 3 October 2011

3rd October

I phoned the Oncologist again today for the results.........
The secretary answered, and told me that the Oncologist was 'looking over them', and would phone me.
It is 19.05 now, and still no call.
Well....at least I know that there ARE some results floating about some where! lol!

NO


Yet!


I pinched the following from another blog....
carolandcancer.blogspot.com

This is a really interesting article!



This is well worth a read not as a 'dig' at GP's or anyone else, but to make us all aware of the fact that we MUST take responsibility for our own care - we must step up and complain loudly if things aren't right, we must accept that GP's do not know everything and therefore push and push for access to those who can help.

Dealing with cancer is hard enough, dealing with the after-effects of treatment is a double blow

GPs 'failing cancer patients' by not spotting side-effects of treatment | Society | The Guardian

In short this article covers:
25% of symptoms are missed by GP's who are simply not aware of the side-effects of cancer treatments.
Poor communication between hospitals and family doctors meant signs of side-effects went undetected and caused patients pain, misery and discomfort
250,000 who have survived cancer have had symptoms such as osteoporosis, heart disease and bowel trouble not picked up by the GP.
Currently GP's are not recording who has had Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy, partly because they don't receive enough information from hospitals but also because they don't realise why it's important for them to do that!
NCSI estimates that between 20-25% of those diagnosed with cancer later experience a consequence of their treatment which affects their physical or mental health or quality of life.
GP's will not necessarily be used to the long term side-effects of many cancer drugs, so sometimes those effects aren't picked up by the GP and primary care team
The quality of information given by hospitals to GP's varies and sometimes there is confusion about who is looking after the patient - and the patient can get lost in the cracks

Definitely needs to be read so that should you be unlucky enough to find yourself with symptoms then you will remember that GP's cannot possibly know everything and sometimes need to be guided by us.

Also, this website is definitely worth a look...full of interesting information and facts.

The National Cancer Survivorship Initiative home page « National Cancer Survivorship Initiative


The National Cancer Survivorship Initiative (NCSI) originated from the Cancer Reform Strategy (2007). The NCSI is a partnership between the Department of Health, Macmillan Cancer Support and is supported by NHS Improvement. The aim of the NCSI is, by 2012, to have taken the necessary steps to ensure that those living with and beyond cancer get the care and support they need to lead as healthy and active a life as possible, for as long as possible.

At the bottom of the NCSI page are some supplements you can download - the HSJ Survivorship supplement is definitely worth reading, particularly an article contained within that called 'Forward Planning' - but in all honesty there was plenty worth reading in the whole supplement and on the whole website too.


2 comments:

nurse said...

Carol, here in the states we also must push for info. I am fortunate as , being in healthcare for 25+ years I know many of the nurses, docs, and understand the system. I have often wondered how persons battling cancer navigate the system, gather information, undersatand the medical lingo and still fight cancer. You may have read in my blog the sections regarding Dr. XX who, simply would not listen to my concerns (I finally fired him)......curiously he was a outstanding doctor, just, would not listen. Many of my former students bent tyhe rules a bit to keep me updated regarding labs, x-ray results, etc.
Keep blogging my friend from the U.K.....enjoy your blog a lot.
Aaron

Carol said...

Hi Aaron,
It is sad that we have to fight so hard for info, must be great to get info from the inside! Lol!
Take care....Hugs
Carol