World Cancer Day

3rd February 2012

Categories:

Around 309 500 people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer every year, with one in three people developing the condition at some point in their lives.

Cancer can develop at any time, but over 60% of instances occur in people over the age of 65. With improved healthcare, life expectancy is continuing to rise, which means more people are reaching retirement and at risk of contracting a form of cancer.

Supporting people with the illness isn’t just about medically treating the disease; it is also about helping people to manage their daily lives and cope with the constraints of a serious illness.

Howard’s Story:

“Howard is in his 70s and suffers from bowel cancer, one of the most common forms of the disease. His condition means that he is incontinent and simply cannot get to the bathroom in time. When Howard first began to experience this symptom, he applied to his local authority for a grant to have a wet-room installed in his home. The local authority were extremely slow to look into Howard’s application and after 18 months, he still had not heard whether he had been successful.

Following a painful bowel operation, Howard felt the issue was more urgent, but he did not feel in a position to negotiate with the council and find out what was happening. Instead, he contacted a VoiceAbility advocate for support.

The advocate took the time to speak to Howard and to go through all the paperwork with him. She then contacted the council and their team of surveyors on his behalf, explaining Howard’s situation and the difference that a wet-room would make to his life.

Having delayed Howard’s application for 18 months, the involvement of an advocate meant that he received a letter within four days saying that his application had been successful and that work would be starting the following month.”

Advocacy made an enormous difference to Howard’s quality of life. Whilst the medical profession were working to treat the illness, his daily routines were constantly disrupted by symptoms of cancer. Howard knew that the installation of a wet-room would give him peace of mind and allow him to manage these symptoms more effectively. With the support of an advocate, Howard was given a voice and able to ensure that his everyday needs were considered.

Our thanks to:

Cancer Research UK