Cancer patients were highly receptive to chemotherapy delivered by a mobile cancer support unit, reports a Welsh study in the European Journal of Cancer Care.

Many patients have to travel long distances to receive treatment and support for cancer, which can result in both increased levels of stress, anxiety and fatigue. In 2009, the cancer charity Tenovus developed a new concept of closer-to-home home delivery of cancer that involved introducing a bus to deliver chemotherapy treatments in local communities across South Wales. In addition to delivering chemotherapy treatment the bus provided social care and social welfare advice to cancer patients and their families from cancer support teams.

In the current study Rachel Iredale and colleagues, from the Cancer Genetics Research Team at Cardiff University (Wales), undertook an evaluation of the Tenovus Bus during its first year of operation, with the main outcome explored being patient satisfaction. Quantitative data was collected using postal and online surveys and qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews.

The results showed that between February 2009 and February 2010 the bus had 3847 visitors on 178 operational days, with chemotherapy provided 549 times. A total of 143 (4%) patients visited the bus to see the Cancer Support Team (CST). In addition the bus offered other services such as legal advice, wig fittings and complementary therapies.

Altogether a total of 87 surveys have been completed, 21 by chemotherapy patients, 15 by cancer support clients, and 51 by family and friends accompanying the patient. On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is poor and 5 exceptional, the average rating for the overall experience was rated as 4.8, with the care provided rated as 4.9 and the quality of the service 4.7 and the convenience 4.6.

"All visitor groups held extremely positive attitudes towards the Bus. For most visitors, getting to and from the Bus was quicker and less stressful than attending a previous appointment," write the authors, adding that bringing treatment closer to patient's homes may reduce barriers to treatment as distance is a key factor influencing a patient's decision whether or not to undertake treatment.

The combination of treatment and care, which includes legal advice, complementary therapies and wig fitting, all go some way towards providing a holistic service for cancer.

Clinical outcomes, such as fatigue, nausea and other side effects of chemotherapy, were not measured in the evaluation.

Reference: R Iredale, J Hilgart, & J Hayward. Patient perceptions of a mobile cancer support unit in South Wales. European Journal of Cancer Care 2011, 20: 555-560.