2.4.1 Supportive care
The patient’s general practitioner should consider an individualised supportive care assessment where appropriate to identify the needs of an individual, their carer and family. Refer to appropriate support services as required. See validated screening tools mentioned in Principle 4 ‘Supportive care’.
A number of specific needs may arise for patients at this time:
- assistance for dealing with the emotional distress and/or anger of dealing with a potential cancer diagnosis, anxiety/depression, interpersonal problems and adjustment difficulties
- management of physical symptoms, particularly infections and pain
- encouragement and support to increase levels of exercise (Cormie et al. 2018; Hayes et al. 2019) provided that it’s safe to do so.
For more information refer to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence 2015 guidelines, Suspected cancer: recognition and referral .
For additional information on supportive care and needs that may arise for different population groups, see Appendices A, B and C.