Dimbleby Cancer Care today officially launches cancercaremap.org, after research* finds a significant lack of awareness across the UK of the thousands of support and advice services available following a cancer diagnosis.
New research revealed that over half (51%) of those in Britain were unaware of emotional support services, such as talking therapy or support groups, despite studies finding mental ill health can affect up to 49% of people with cancer.1 Just under three quarters also lacked awareness of the financial or practical support available.
In addition, the findings highlighted that:
- Men are significantly less likely to be aware of the support and advice services available than women. For example, 43% of women were aware of health and wellbeing services, such as complementary therapies, available following a cancer diagnosis compared to 36% of men
- Cancer support and advice services are most likely to be sought by family members with 20% of all those surveyed doing so on a family member’s behalf, compared to only 7% doing so for themselves
- Over a quarter (28%) of those surveyed online would turn to the internet first in search for support.
Cancer Care Map is now being launched ahead of World Cancer Day (Monday 4th February), to address this information gap, and provide the UK’s only comprehensive directory of cancer-related services for those living with cancer, their friends and family, carers and clinicians.
The pilot site for Cancer Care Map opened in February 2018 and has been developed over the past year with the input of current and former cancer patients, carers and clinical staff. Growing week by week the site features everything from NHS centers, charity and community led groups to local businesses offering special discounts.
Jonathan Dimbleby chair of Dimbleby Cancer Care and creator of the map, explains, “These results illustrate a shocking truth - that vital cancer care and support services are available, yet remain hidden to those who need them. By 2020, one in two people in the UK will have had a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.2 That’s 27.6 million people who may not know where to find cancer support groups in their local area.”