We welcome the new National Cancer Plan from the Department of Health and Social Care as a positive step forward.
In particular, we were pleased to see the introduction of a Personal Cancer Plan with bespoke assessments, including better support for the side effects of treatment, such as hair loss.
Through our strong partnerships with cancer care co-ordinators, we understand the huge impact personalised care has on a cancer patient navigating their hair loss during treatment.
As a charity, we are deeply committed to filling gaps in patient care. While the new plan doesn’t explicitly address the existing wig access inequities across England, we will continue to strive towards more inclusion and diversity for all cancer patients, wherever they live.
For the first time, England’s Plan also includes a chapter for children and young adults which underlines their unique needs. This is a vital addition and we will continue to work together with Great Ormond Street, UCLH and Teenage Cancer Trust to support the hair loss challenges that young people with cancer face.
Cancer Hair Care’s founder Jasmin Gupta said: “We were pleased to see the plan call for personal, tailored support for the “distinct clinical, practical and emotional needs” of patients. This refocuses attention towards holistic and wholehearted cancer care support services that combine both the practical aspects of hair loss and illness with the emotional and physical changes.
“As the only UK charity dedicated to supporting children, young people and adults throughout their entire hair loss journey and the only charity to provide clinics and nurse education to the NHS, we will continue to work together with our partners, stakeholders, our dedicated team and the government to help realise the ambitious vision of this new plan.”