All.Can Patient Survey

67 Patient insights on cancer care: opportunities for improving efficiency Australia: key findings Swift, accurate and appropriately delivered diagnosis • 28% of respondents whose cancer was detected outside of a screening programme said that their cancer was diagnosed as something different – either initially or multiple times. This occurred less frequently for respondents with breast cancer ( 18% ) than for all other tumour types ( 43% ) • The largest difference between cancer types was expressed in diagnosis: 91% of breast cancer respondents whose cancer was detected outside of a screening programme were diagnosed within three months, compared to an average of 69% in all other tumour types • 12% of respondents whose cancer was detected outside of a screening programme waited more than six months to be diagnosed with cancer. In breast cancer this was 5% , while the average across all other tumour types was 22% Information, support and shared decision-making • 35% did not feel involved enough in deciding which treatment options were best for them • 28% were not given enough information (in a way they could understand) about their cancer care and treatment • 50% did not receive enough support to deal with ongoing symptoms and side effects – including beyond the active phase of their treatment • 41% did not receive enough information (in a way they could understand) about the signs and symptoms indicating that their cancer might be returning or getting worse • 31% were not given information about patient groups, charities and other organisations that might be able to support them Integrated multidisciplinary care • 30% did not have access to a specialist cancer nurse, either immediately after their diagnosis or during treatment • 19% said that supported from allied health professionals was not available when they needed it • 63% were not offered complementary therapies (e.g. massage, meditation, acupuncture, aromatherapy and/or other non-traditional therapies) as part of their cancer treatment • 64% reported that they needed some sort of psychological support during/after their cancer care but, of those, 35% said it was not available The financial impact of cancer • 79% reported out-of-pocket costs, 32% reported travel costs ( 11% had to travel for 1–2 hours to attend appointments or receive treatment, 7% for more than 2 hours, and 9% required an overnight stay because it was too far from home), 27% reported a loss of employment, 8% a loss of insurance and 4% childcare costs