Teenage Cancer Trust respond to report on cancer services in Wales

Responding to the report, Stephen Ballard, Deputy Director of Health Engagement, Partnerships and Influencing, said: 

“The report highlights important gaps in national strategies and care that may be negatively impacting the experiences and outcomes of young people with cancer in Wales. Audit Wales has found that the Cancer Improvement Plan for Wales currently lacks detail on services for children and young people, and that there is a lack of adequate data to inform improvements for this age group.”

“We welcome the recommendation that the Welsh Government should work to improve the collection and reporting of data around young people with cancer, so we can more effectively design services which meet their unique needs and improve their outcomes.”

“Young people with cancer are often forgotten or overlooked within data collection, making them invisible in the system. At present, insufficient data is being collected for the teenage and young adult age group, and where this data is collected, there are instances where it isn’t being reported on or made available. Good quality, timely data for young people’s cancer is key to understanding issues around diagnosis, treatment and outcomes. Greater availability of age-specific data in Wales would provide an important means of highlighting inequalities and areas where there is need of improvement, to drive up the quality of cancer services for young people.”  

“The publication of this report is an important milestone in improving cancer services for teenagers and young adults in Wales, but now action must follow. 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.”