"Having clinical guidance and reassurance from someone who knows what individuals are going through and can direct them to the right support at the right time is invaluable and should not be underestimated"
- Christine Husbands - RedArc
Cancer survivors often require more support than people recovering from other conditions, yet post-treatment care can leave them to navigate their recovery alone, according to RedArc.
The nurse-led support organisation found that over the past five years, people with cancer need 31% more resources, such as written and digital information, and more than twice as many referrals to specialist support organisations and charities compared with non-cancer cases. This reflects the complexity of challenges faced during treatment and the lasting impact on life beyond cancer.
RedArc highlights that the main component of post-cancer care, the Cancer Survivorship Care Plan, largely relies on self-management. The organisation cautions that these plans, and similar documents that place responsibility on the individual, risk leaving survivors under-supported. Survivors often need far more guidance than those recovering from other conditions, and their needs can initially be underestimated by themselves, families, friends, and employers.
The charity recognises that Cancer Survivorship Care Plans are designed to provide a comprehensive, personalised roadmap for survivors, outlining treatment summaries, follow-up schedules, and guidance on lifestyle, emotional, and social recovery.
However, itwarns that outcomes are likely to be poorer when survivors are expected to follow these plans without ongoing clinical support. With consistent guidance, recovery and adjustment can be achieved more quickly.
The period after a patient receives the all-clear can be particularly challenging. Initial relief often gives way to feelings of uncertainty and isolation. The healthcare team that supported the patient during treatment is no longer regularly accessible, and survivors must navigate life changes on their own. RedArc stresses that consistent, ongoing clinical support provides essential continuity and stability at a time when many aspects of life are shifting.
Christine Husbands, commercial consultant at RedArc (pictured), said: “We’re fortunate in the UK to have a wide range of cancer charities and organisations offering specialist support for people living with or beyond cancer. However, the sheer volume of options can be overwhelming. Having clinical guidance and reassurance from someone who knows what individuals are going through and can direct them to the right support at the right time is invaluable and should not be underestimated."
“Getting life back on track, returning to work and/or normal activities, whatever that looks like for each person, is not always straightforward. Many people need support as they adjust, yet they often find that support suddenly disappears after the all-clear. If we want people to become the best version of themselves after the immense stress of facing cancer, we need to ensure they have consistent, compassionate support as they find their way forward.”
