Beyond awareness: Why the patient journey matters in cancer care

Awareness is often where conversations about cancer begin. We encourage people to know the signs and symptoms, seek medical attention early and participate in screening where appropriate. These efforts matter. But another question deserves equal attention: what happens after a person decides to seek care? A woman may recognise a concerning change, attend a health facility and receive a referral for further investigation. What happens if the next appointment is difficult to secure, the cost is…