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Blood cancers are the UK’s fifth most prevalent cancer and are responsible for the third highest number of cancer-related deaths. Unlike cancers with solid tumors, blood cancers cannot be removed through surgery and often need prompt, intensive treatments, which can result in lasting side effects like infertility and other health complications. The repercussions extend beyond physical health, impacting individuals emotionally, mentally, and financially.
Leukaemia affects over 60,000 individuals in the UK. At Leukaemia UK, patients frequently share experiences of hidden expenses, interrupted careers, and the stress of managing their lives with a compromised immune system. Many diagnosed with chronic leukaemia are on “Watch and Wait” protocols, leaving them anxious about when, or if, they might require treatment. This uncertainty greatly influences their mental health and daily living.
The financial challenges for leukaemia patients are notably severe, with the average financial burden being £181 monthly, compared to £120 for breast cancer patients and £52 for those with prostate cancer. Costs involve special dietary needs and increased heating at home due to treatment repercussions.
Moreover, about 65% of leukaemia patients need to cut down on work hours or leave work altogether post-diagnosis, due to the intense nature of leukaemia treatments. This stems from the fact that unlike many solid cancers treated initially with milder options, leukaemia often requires immediate chemotherapy.
Despite these challenges, only 9% of leukaemia patients have received a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA), which is a valuable method for determining a patient’s comprehensive physical, emotional, and practical needs.
A HNA involves a straightforward questionnaire filled out by the cancer patient, allowing them to point out the most pressing issues they face. It should be administered by a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) who has expertise in leukaemia.
The results then guide the development of a care and support plan by a specialist nurse or expert key worker to ensure these needs are addressed.
Multiple assessments should be conducted throughout the patient’s cancer experience – at diagnosis, during active treatment, and in the post-treatment phase. Given that physical and psychological burdens frequently persist or worsen beyond treatment completion.
We are proud to support the Daily Express campaign that all cancer patients should be offered a holistic needs assessment, so they can have a personal care plan that is holistic and recognises the mental impact of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
This is also something we are calling on the Government to address specifically for leukaemia patients in the upcoming National Cancer Plan, ensuring everyone with leukaemia is offered a HNA at the point of diagnosis, during and after treatment.
We urge the Government to recognise the unique needs of leukaemia patients and ensure that they take this opportunity to close the existing gaps in care and provide the resources that leukaemia patients so desperately need.
