Chai Cancer Care Together Magazine 2016 AHEAD of the curve Back in the 1970s and for much of the 80s, too, the idea that a person would need help and support to get their life back on track after cancer treatment wasn’t commonplace. Little attention was paid to long-term quality of life issues for the person who survived. It was enough just to have got through it, never mind the continuing impact on the patient or their family. Earlier this year, Macmillan published Cancer: then and now, a report on diagnosis, treatment and aftercare from 1970-2016. There was positive news within: people are now twice as likely to survive at least 10 years after being diagnosed with cancer as they were at the start of the 1970s. More than 170,000 people diagnosed with cancer in the 70s and 80s are alive today. Currently, 2.5 million people are living with cancer in the UK and by 2030, that figure will reach at least 4 million. A complex transition These ‘good’ statistics, and the implications for the future of cancer care detailed in Macmillan’s report, are not news to Chai. We have long been aware that the combination of medical and wellbeing advances, and an ageing population mean that today cancer is often a chronic rather than a terminal condition. But, like Macmillan, we also frequently hear people talk of having ‘fallen off a cliff’ as they try to adjust to the complex emotional and physical after-effects of cancer treatment. For example, a person living with or beyond cancer may suffer other illnesses, such as diabetes, heart problems or kidney disease. They may experience nerve pain (neuropathy), fatigue, digestive and bowel problems, which result in enduring day-to-day life changes. Even when cancer leaves no permanent physical changes, a person may feel differently about their body. Chai helps clients deal with the impact of the many physical and psychological changes with therapeutic treatments, nutritional advice, physiotherapy, fitness and body image support as well as through our Medical Outpatient Rehabilitation and Palliative Care and Clinic, which opened in 2011. How we approach the care of cancer patients and their families is changing dramatically. As we understand more about the impact of a diagnosis, Chai’s leads the way. By Chief Executive Lisa Steele “Cancer changes relationship dynamics. Our services address the physical and psychological impact of these changes” The shift towards cancer survival does not however mean we are any less focused on supporting those who are facing a less positive outcome, nor less aware of the family members whose lives are also deeply affected – in fact 40% of our clients are not the patient. Cancer changes relationship dynamics as roles are reversed, familiar activities are put on hold and economic pressures build. Our services address the impact of these changes. We provide individual, couples and family counselling, as well as art and music therapy for those who find it difficult to articulate their feelings in a usual counselling setting. A specialist advisor can help clients with form-filling in order to claim benefits, including those that are non-means tested. Chai can also refer clients to agencies that offer practical support or volunteers to help ease everyday pressures: cooking, keeping on top of bills, shopping, picking the children up from school… And if there is a bereavement, Chai continues to provide services for as long as they are needed. In its 26 years, since Chai began operating as a telephone information and helpline service, it has pioneered innovative responses. Just one example is our ‘Chai in Schools’ programme, which brings counsellors and therapists into the school environment to support pupils who are affected by a diagnosis in their family. It also gives teachers essential training in how best to deal with and respond to the challenges these youngsters are experiencing. We foresee pressure on this service increasing as, sadly, more young parents are diagnosed. Just one day recently saw 10 children from three families register with us. The expansion of our premises in Manchester could not be more timely and enables us to significantly add to the range and number of services that will be of benefit to clients across the north-west region. At the same time, our Home Support Service continues to bring vital services to those who are too unwell to come to us or live far from a satellite. Predicting the need Chai has always strived to stay ahead of the curve and the Macmillan report highlights services we already provide as vital to address the challenges of the “Chai now provides upwards of 50 different services, across a nationwide network of satellites and hubs” future. For though the the years ahead contain many positive predictions, our infographic, below, illustrates the surge in need going forward. By 2020, we are looking at fulfilling upwards of 20,000 NUMBER OF CLIENTS AND APPOINTMENTS OVER THE YEARS client appointments – with all that implies for the running costs we will have to find. Whatever the developments in cancer care, the one constant that does not change is the impact a diagnosis has on the patient and their family. We need to reach more people and let them know about Chai’s services. We need to overcome any remaining taboos about seeking support – it takes just one phone call or email to access our multi-levelled support. To meet our clients’ many and diverse needs, Chai now provides upwards of 50 different services, across a nationwide network of care hubs and satellites. I am hugely conscious of the task Chai has up ahead and immensely proud of the teams of counsellors and therapists, client services managers, volunteers and medical advisors who are dedicated to delivering these services with such empathy, care and professionalism. ■ Just 10 years ago, Chai was supporting almost 400 clients. That figure will exceed 4,000 in a little over three years. The increase in diagnoses, along with the more complex care needs of clients means an inexorable rise in demand for services, with appointments reaching almost 20,000 by 2020. 2006 2011 2015 2020 Number of active clients to the nearest 100 Number of appointments to the nearest 100 4 5 Chai Cancer Care Together 2016 Chai Cancer Care