Implications of social isolation during cancer treatment. The implicationsof residence away from home during cancer treatment on patients' experiences: a comparative study

With the centralisation and specialisation of cancer services, patients may have to travel considerable distances and stay away tram their homes durin g treatment. This paper describes a comparative study that sought to identi fy the effects on patients of receiving chemotherapy and; or radiotherapy a way from their homes, families and social support networks. Eighty four can cer patients treated in Southampton (42 from Guernsey and 42 from Southampt on) agreed to participate in a structured interview and a standardised meas ure of social support. There were few differences in terms of satisfaction with services between Guernsey patients who stayed away from home during tr eatment and Southampton patients who lived at home. Counter-intuitively, Gu ernsey patients perceived themselves to have better social support. (C) 200 1 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.