This leukaemia is being overlooked – Britain urgently needs NHS change | UK | News
The diagnosis of leukemia changes life not only physically but also emotionally. Nevertheless, for too much, the psychological effect is ignored or supported inadequate. In leukemia, we know very well that the emotional effect can be carved long after the treatment ends. In fact, in 2024, we saw a 60% increase in demand for our advisory service and presented more than 500 sessions to people struggling with anxiety, depression and isolation.
From patients with ‘active monitoring’ to caregivers and families, emotional welfare should be handled with the same urgency as physical recovery. Mental health is important and for people living with leukemia, there may be only the difference between survival and really living. And here, we attach great importance to activating the latter.
We see the effect every day. Living in Limbo, not only the uncertainty of leukemia, but the emotional wage of feeling invisible. So I believe that we need a radical change when we support cancer patients.
This ideally begins with a holistic need assessment and personal care plan at the beginning or beginning of treatment. These are not tick box exercises; They are compassionate, the basis of combined care.
Our data supports this, because more than half of patients with ‘active monitoring’ path is increasing anxiety or depression, but we see that there is little emotional support after diagnosis of people we support.
Patients such as All and CML are among those who report the highest levels of emotional distress and 6% feel constantly worried or depressed.
However, we know that the right support has changed life. In 2024, consultancy intake increased by 33%and the results healed dramatic, twice as much people were less anxious and less isolated, and once a week, one person was able to complete their support sessions and proceeded with the renewed power.
Let’s not forget the connection between financial pressure and mental health. A 20% increase in demand for our welfare service emphasizes how much intertwined money concerns are with emotional prosperity. One out of every three people diagnosed with leukemia could no longer work or work – it changed more than a life.
In addition, we saw the power of peer support in action, with the help of our Buddy volunteer service, more than 200 people, with the help of our demand for 50% annually. Whether consulting, clear information or simply someone who understands, our message is not a luxury of emotional support, this is a life line.
And not only patients, but two -thirds of Macmillan caregivers have anxiety and 42% are facing depression, but more than 75% of them do not receive psychological support. It is usually the emotional anchor of a family, they hold everything together while holding their own fears.
For more than 50 years, leukemia care has been dedicated to ensure that everyone affected by the diagnosis of leukemia receive the best possible information, advice, treatment and support. We stood for the most difficult times with patients and their families, and we saw how to change the lives of holistic, person -centered care from first -hand.
But we can’t do it alone. No institutions like ours can fill the gaps, increase awareness and push better, but the responsibility of consistent, high -quality mental health support should not be based on collection of money alone.
It is time to ensure that the health system is step by step and emotional welfare to be buried in the cancer care path from the first day. Each patient deserves support not only the clinical side, but to the support of the entire reality of his experiences.
Therefore, we support the Daily Express’s cancer care campaign to ensure that all cancer patients have mental health support during and after treatment.
We will continue to campaign until this happens, because living with cancer should not come at the expense of your mental health.
