With March marking Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Cancer Nurse Margarida Rodrigues discusses the need for clinically-led cancer support programmes in the workplace, to support patients and the NHS.

The latest analysis of NHS cancer waiting times has revealed that more than 500,000 patients in England waited at least two months for cancer care, and that thousands more patients will be at risk unless NHS delays are tackled. Additionally the latest results in England for January 2025 revealed that NHS cancer targets were still being missed.

Specifically:

  • The Faster Diagnosis Standard: 73.4 per cent of people were diagnosed, or had cancer ruled out, within 28 days of an urgent referral in January 2025
  • The 62-day referral to treatment standard: Only 67.3 per cent of people in England received their diagnosis and started their first treatment within 2 months (or 62 days) of an urgent referral in January 2025. The target is 85 per cent and has not been met since December 2015
  • The 31-day decision to treat standard: 88.8 per cent of people started treatment within 31 days of doctors deciding a treatment plan in January 2025. The target is 96 per cent

It’s clear the NHS is trying to make strides to meet targets but with rising cancer rates and 4 million people in the UK expected to be living with cancer by 2030, it is a substantial task. Looking beyond the statistics and headline figures of waiting times and targets, there are added complexities to deal with. Appointments can be missed for a host of reasons, including cancer patients dealing with the daily impact of their treatment, struggling to reach appointments, or the absence of a carer or family member needed for support.

Cancer nurse specialists play an important part in helping patients throughout their cancer journey. They make sure patients understand what is happening, however the role they play is far greater than just informing patients and administering treatment and medication. They provide patients with one-to-one clinical and emotional support while working alongside cancer support managers who also provide significant practical support. Cancer support managers can be chasing up appointments and consultations one minute, then arranging travel and making sure patients can get to and from appointments safely the next.

Sometimes it is just being that person that can join up the gaps for them between NHS and private appointments, so none are missed and everyone knows what is happening – something so simple that is often overlooked. In many cases, cancer treatment be overwhelming for patients, with a lot of information and appointments for them to manage, be it blood tests, treatment sessions, ensuring medication is taken properly or physiotherapy is arranged if needed. Reframe Cancer’s aim is to make all this a bit easier and reduce unnecessary stress for cancer patients already dealing with an awful situation.

Reframe Cancer recently analysed some patient outcomes data which further highlighted the vital role cancer nurse specialists play as a trusted point of contact and support for cancer patients. The data showed that the way the patient consultations were handled meant that more than six in ten (63 per cent) led to a positive outcome for the patient, such as preventing escalation of illness, psychological distress, or unnecessary GP visits which can burden the NHS. The data demonstrated that support from nursing teams provides a positive clinical impact for cancer patients.

Reduction of psychological distress was the main outcome (87 per cent), followed by improved symptom management (40 per cent). These results on their own say a lot about what is happening and what type of issues cancer patients are dealing with. Unless you are going through the process with the patient it is difficult for anyone to grasp the full spectrum of appointments and support that is really needed, whether physical, emotional, or medical.

Post-consultation analysis further indicated there was a reduction in high dependency cases from 38 per cent to 33 per cent and an increase in lower dependency patients (from 19 per cent to 23 per cent), suggesting improved patient self-management. This is of huge importance; being able to give patients the tools they need themselves to self-manage certain aspects of their journey is empowering for them. Further to this, it reduces pressure on NHS appointments and waiting lists, enabling more people to be seen that are needed.

Another important aspect that came through from this patient data concerned the levels of employment support provided. Any patients that discussed work-based concerns with our cancer team reported improved confidence in this area. Often this can be just talking through situations and scenarios or listening to patients as they discuss concerns they have about work. After all it can be unnerving for many patients to take time off work through treatment –they worry about the stigma of cancer and what this means for them in the workplace and if their employer is being understanding. Unfortunately, it is not a given that all employers are.

In summary, there is a real benefit to employers having in place the right clinically-led cancer support programme for employees. Cancer numbers are rising, especially in younger people, which we know is a huge worry to employers. The benefits are far reaching, from helping support the NHS with reducing missed appointments, and unnecessary GP visits but most importantly, helping support cancer patients on their cancer pathway and helping to make life a bit easier for them during a very difficult time.

Margarida Rodrigues is a cancer nurse for Reframe Cancer, who provide personalised, nurse-led workplace cancer support.