Public Involvement - Summary of Year 1
Many people have worries and concerns about cancer and cancer treatment which can sometimes affect how they view cancer. By listening to the public across Scotland we hoped to understand what a variety of Scottish people think about cancer and cancer care. We worked with local areas in a number of ways to gather a range of information. This included using cancer statistics for the area, interviewing key health and social care workers, holding open meetings and small discussion groups.
Public involvement meetings at a Glasgow shipyard (left) and in Stornaway (right)
To ensure that we heard what a variety of people had to say we made sure that we spoke to people from urban, rural and semi-rural populations, including the islands; those from poorer as well as wealthy areas; and people who do not always have the chance to get their views heard in healthcare like minority ethnic groups, children and men. We will be using the results to develop our research at the Centre to improve cancer care.
Our Findings
We found that people in Scotland still see cancer as the most frightening illness of all and that they usually link having the disease with dying. People of all ages shared this view although in the wealthy areas people were aware that some people are living longer with cancer and there are more options for treatment.
But in poorer areas the views about cancer were more negative than in wealthier areas, with people feeling that there is little that can be done to prevent cancer. Also, once it is diagnosed there is the feeling that little can be done to treat it.
Public Involvement - Location Reports 2005
We travelled to 9 different locations across Scotland to hear about people's views of cancer and cancer care. We also wanted to hear about the views of people who are often harder to contact in Scotland. We contacted Asian and Chinese people living in Scotland, primary school children and we also spoke to men in a shipyard.
Aberfeldy
Black & Minority Ethnic Groups
Broughty Ferry
Campbeltown
Cults and Bieldside
Easterhouse
Raploch
Saughton
Stornoway
Information about cancer
There is also a lack of knowledge of what causes cancer and what signs to look out for. Information about cancer is treated with suspicion and often not believed. We also heard how attempts to improve people's health with local health programmes have not really changed how people view cancer.
Mesage to the Minister for Health
The people we talked to want the Minister for Health to ensure that cancer is a priority and put more money into its cure and treatment, not rely on charities to fund research and have more nurses and doctors available for people affected by cancer.
Funding Organisation
This project is part of a three year patient experience project funded by the Scottish Executive.