Teenage Cancer Trust respond to the cancer plan for Wales
Today, the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care of Wales, Mabon ap Gwynfor MS, laid out his priorities. It is vital that young people with cancer aren’t overlooked in the development of the cancer plan for Wales.
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Amy Harding, Director of Services at Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “Wales suffers from some of the worst cancer outcomes in Europe, so it is heartening to see this commitment today to a cancer plan for Wales, something we have been calling for alongside our partners since before the election. We are pleased that the Government are listening to the cancer community.
“To achieve real change, the voices of teenagers and young adults with cancer must be heard. Too often they fall through the cracks when it comes to policymaking, lumped in with children or older adults when they have specific, unique needs. The ambitions set out today cannot be achieved without specific actions to drive change for teenagers and young adults with cancer.
“Teenage Cancer Trust are ready to work with the Welsh Government, the NHS Executive and other partners to ensure that every young person with cancer in Wales receives the treatment and experience they deserve.”
Every few hours, a young person in the UK hears the words “you have cancer.” In Wales, that equates to around 90 young people every year. Although this number may seem small, cancer kills more teenagers and young adults in the UK than any other disease.
Teenage Cancer Trust supports young people with cancer across Wales, including funding specialist nurses and Youth Support Coordinators to help with their clinical, social and wellbeing needs, as well as a specialist age-appropriate unit at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.
They also work in coalition through the Wales Cancer Alliance with other cancer charities in Wales to influence legislation and keep cancer on the political agenda.
Ymateb i Cynllun Canser Cymru gan Teenage Cancer Trust
Dywedodd Amy Harding, Cyfarwyddwr Gwasanaethau y Teenage Cancer Trust: “Mae Cymru yn dioddef o rai o’r canlyniadau canser gwaethaf dros Ewrop, felly mae’n galonogol gweld y ymrwymiad hwn heddiw i gynllun canser i Gymru, rhywbeth rydym wedi bod yn galw amdano gyda’n partneriaid ers cyn yr etholiad. Rydym yn falch bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn gwrando ar y gymuned sydd wedi eu effeithio gan canser.
“I gyflawni newid go iawn, rhaid i lais pobl ifanc â chanser gael eu clywed. Yn rhy aml maent yn cwympo trwy’r bylchau o ran gwneud polisïau, yn cael eu cyfuno gyda phlant neu oedolion hŷn er eu bod â chynlluniau penodol ac unigryw. Ni ellir cyflawni’r uchelgeisiau a nodwyd heddiw heb weithredoedd penodol i yrru newid i bobl ifanc a phobl ifanc â chanser.
“Mae’r Teenage Cancer Trust yn barod i weithio gyda Llywodraeth Cymru, Gweithrediaeth y GIG a phartneriaid eraill i sicrhau bod pob person ifanc â chanser yng Nghymru yn derbyn y triniaeth a’r profiad y maent eu haeddu.”
Bob ychydig oriau, mae person ifanc yn y DU yn clywed y geiriau “mae gennych ganser.” yng Nghymru, mae hynny’n cyfateb i oddeutu 90 o bobl ifanc bob blwyddyn. Er y gallai’r nifer hon ymddangos yn fach, mae canser yn lladd mwy o bobl ifanc ac ieuenctid yn y DU nag unrhyw afiechyd arall.
Mae’r Teenage Cancer Trust yn cefnogi pobl ifanc â chanser ledled Cymru, gan gynnwys cyllido nyrsys arbenigol a Chydlynwyr Cefnogaeth Ieuenctid i helpu gyda’u hanghenion clinigol, cymdeithasol a lles, yn ogystal ag uned arbenigol addas i’w oed yn Ysbyty Prifysgol Cymru yng Nghaerdydd.
Maent hefyd yn gweithio mewn cyd-gymdeithas trwy Cynghrair Canser Cymru gyda mudiadau canser eraill yng Nghymru i ddylanwadu ar ddeddtwriaeth a chadw canser ar yr agenda wleidyddol.