Black cancer patients in England less likely to feel supported in hospital, says charity

By Tobi Thomas, The Guardian

Black cancer patients and people living with a disability are less likely to feel they are getting enough support while receiving treatment in hospital, according to analysis by a leading charity.

Analysis of the 2023 National Cancer Patient Experience Survey for England by Macmillan found that 71% of black patients with cancer feel like they are getting enough support with their overall needs while in hospital, compared with the national average of 76% of patients.

According to the survey, black patients were also less likely to say that their family or carers were involved in treatment decisions as much as they would like them to be, at 75%, compared with 80% of white patients.

The survey also found that people living with a disability or another long-term condition alongside cancer were less likely to feel like they are getting enough support with their overall needs during their cancer treatment, at only 61% of cancer patients who have autism, 68% of those with a mental health condition, 69% of those with a neurological condition such as epilepsy, and 70% of those with a learning disability. This is in comparison to 77% of people who do not have another long-term condition.

The Guardian explains how this survey adds to our knowledge of the inequalities seen in cancer care across England.

Meanwhile, Black patients in the US may be more likely to be restrained.

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