A PIONEERING new service has been launched for people in Clydebank who are suffering from cancer.

Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ), an initiative between the local council and Macmillan Cancer Support, aims to improve the lives of people who have been recently diagnosed with the illness.

There are around 3,000 people currently suffering from cancer in West Dunbartonshire. Each newly-diagnosed patient will be given the opportunity to meet with a dedicated support worker on a one-to-one basis.

They can advise on issues such as benefits, housing or money and employment, which are often overlooked following a diagnosis.

The programme is part of an £18million partnership between the Scottish Government and Macmillan Cancer Support, which is set to make Scotland the first country in the UK where cancer patients will be guaranteed wraparound support.

The service, which began in April last year, was officially launched at West Dunbartonshire Council’s Church Street offices in Dumbarton last Wednesday.

During the event, the gathered audience heard from service user Lorraine Andrews about the help she had received.

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Lorraine, who is a breast cancer survivor, said: “After my diagnosis, I had a mastectomy and reconstruction, and while it was a relief the cancer was gone, that wasn’t the end of my journey. I was still very much in a lot of pain, I was suffering from extreme fatigue, I couldn’t walk far or carry anything and I needed help to do even small tasks. In addition to that, I was now starting to worry about very practical things like work and bills. I felt extremely vulnerable.

“With the service’s assistance, I was able to organise a blue badge for a year, which gave me a bit of freedom to get out and about again without having to walk too far, and they also helped me get a new cooker, as I struggled to open my old one.

“They even helped me organise a phased return to work when I didn’t feel ready to go back. All of these things reassured me, and helped me begin to get my freedom and confidence back.”

Councillor Diane Docherty said: “While it’s good news that advances in treatment mean that more people than ever are surviving, it also means that people living with cancer are living longer, often with long-term effects of treatment or other health conditions that have a huge impact on health, wellbeing and independence.

“The aim of the new service is to make things easier at a time when it may feel like the world is falling apart.”

Janice Preston, Macmillan’s head of services in Scotland, added: “This new service should make sure everyone in West Dunbartonshire with cancer has someone to call on for help, no matter what they need. We hope this service will transform cancer support.”