Cancer on the Increase

Tuesday, 9 October 2012

A LEADING cancer expert has warned that some cancers will increase significantly in the next 10 years. Dr David Dunlop, Clinical Director of the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, said despite the rise more treatments would become available and more patients would survive.

Dr Dunlop, speaking at Cancer Support Scotland’s annual conference in Glasgow, also said the rise in the number of people living longer meant more elderly people would develop cancer but that less toxic treatments would allow them to be treated effectively. He told the conference that would bring separate challenges including the capacity to treat and support them, and the issue of affordability

Dr Dunlop, who is an active clinical researcher in lung cancer and a former Trustee of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, stressed the importance of early detection of the disease and the integration of health and social care to improve the lives of patients receiving treatment, living with cancer, and survivors.

Dr Dunlop also praised Cancer Support Scotland for its work and the importance of devolving cancer treatment aftercare to support bodies’ efforts to empower cancer survivors’ expectations, provide psychological support and assist them get back to work. He told the conference it was a role it would fulfil “ in many instances “better than doctors”.

Cancer Support Scotland chief executive Colin Graham said: “Dr Dunlop’s warning of the dramatic rise in the number of some cancers and his advice that more people will survive because of more treatments demonstrates how important it is for organisations like Cancer Support Scotland to be able to provide support for people suffering from cancer, their families and friends. “The number of people using the complementary therapies we provide rose from 76 in June to 145 in August and we will be able to see even more people from later this month when we move into our new premises, the Calman Cancer Support Centre, at Gartnavel Hospital.But, as a charity, we need more backing from the Scottish Government and from the public to ensure we can meet the increasing demand for ourservices.”

Therapies provided by Cancer Support Scotland include aromatherapy, chiropody, Reiki, hot stone therapy, Indian head massage, reflexology, talking therapy (counselling) and stress management. As well as being provided for people with the illness, they are also available to their families, friends and carers.