One in ten cancer sufferers are left housebound while others lack help washing and dressing because of a lack of help from social services, a leading charity has said. Macmillan Cancer Support says at least 160,000 patients are constantly or often left stuck in their homes, while 100,000 are regularly unable to wash themselves, dress or go to the toilet because of a lack of care workers. The findings, based on a survey of more than 1,000 cancer sufferers, suggest 11 per cent are often left housebound, while 7 per cent lack help with their basic needs.
“People at all stages of the disease are lacking the care and support they desperately need, with devastating consequences for their health and dignity,” the report warns. “This lack of dignity is contributing to the huge emotional toll that cancer can inflict. People are living with constant feelings of fear, anger and isolation, not to mention depression and anxiety.”
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Cancer sufferers are not given enough help at home, charities say Photo: ALAMY
Filed under: Cancer, NHS, Cancer, care workers, housebound
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS 