A new website has been launched to make it easier for cancer patients and their families to find out how they can get access to support.
Thirteen local and national charities operating across the north of Scotland have joined together to create the new online resource filled with information for people affected by the illness.
It was developed on the back of feedback from patients who found it difficult to find out accurate information about their condition.
The project was launched at the CLAN support centre in Aberdeen yesterday by chairman of NHS Grampian, Professor Stephen Logan, and Dr Colette Backwell, chair of the Grampian Cancer Partnership Group.
Tracy Burnett, who was was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, said it would have been helpful to have had access to the website at the time of her diagnosis.
She said: “When you’re diagnosed, you’re handed a lot of leaflets.
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“But the first thing you tend to do when you get home is run a search on the internet which is more often than not full of misinformation.
“When you’re diagnosed you focus on yourself and the next medical steps.
“But my mum and sister were constantly phoning me and telling me to eat this, or avoid that, and I wish for their sake I could have told them there was a website.
“But thanks to the website there is now a wealth of support throughout this uncertain journey from 13 charities, though this is just the beginning.”
The decision to launch the website was taken on the back of patient responses to a National Cancer Patient Experience Survey carried out in 2016. Patients highlighted the fact that they were unable to distinguish the services each cancer charity provided.
It has been divided into sections to help users find the most relevant information.
It is hoped the website will also help patients living in rural communities get access to more help.
Professor Logan said: “The Cancer Support North Scotland website aims to make it easier for anyone affected by or living with cancer to access information and support. Cancersupportnorthscotland.co.uk will be a key resource for many of our patients and their families living with cancer.
“We are confident when patients and families access it they will be getting the right information and know it is credible.”
To find out more go to: www.cancersupportnorthscotland.co.uk
