People affected by cancer are being invited to join a new ‘Patient Panel’, being launched at the 2nd Isle of Man Survivorship Conference this month, to help shape future cancer services on the Island.

The Department of Health and Social Care, in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support and the Cancer Services User Forum, are calling on people to help form the new Patient Panel, which is open to anyone who has experience of living with and beyond cancer in the last five years.

You will be joining in with the Cancer Service Re-design Project and will have the opportunity to work with the Project Team and share your ideas on cancer services from your perspective as a recent cancer patient, or as a family member or close friend of someone who has had cancer.

The 12-strong panel will work alongside the Cancer Board to establish best practice and will link up with the Department of Health and Social Care, Macmillan Cancer Support and the voluntary sector to help re-design cancer support services on the Island over the next two years.

More and more people are now surviving cancer. On the Isle of Man, there are around 400 new cancer diagnoses every year, and around 2,000 people are currently living with and beyond cancer – the Patient Panel will give them a vital say in developing best practice in every step of the cancer journey, from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.

Derek Peters, from the Isle of Man Cancer Services User Forum, said: “This is a great opportunity for people affected by cancer to build on the work already undertaken by the Cancer Services User Forum.

“We need people affected by cancer, whether they are a patient, carer, family member or a friend to talk and share their experiences at an influential level to ensure that the voice of the cancer patient is truly prominent and reflects best possible practice to enhance and reshape cancer services into the future.”

An overview of the Patient Panel will be given at the 2nd Isle of Man Cancer Survivorship Conference being held at the Best Western Palace Hotel on Friday, 25 September.

Anyone interested in hearing more is welcome to attend whole the conference, or just for the information session on the Patient Panel, between 11.45am and 12.15pm. Representatives from the Department of Health and Social Care, Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Services User Forum will be available on the day to give further information.

Informal discussions will be held on Thursday 1 October, and those who are selected to join the Patient Board, which will meet every eight weeks, will also receive personal development and training opportunities.