Cancer groups say post-diagnosis support remains underfunded

Speaking to ERR’s Vikerraadio, Kristel Leif of Onkoloogika, a nonprofit representing cancer patients, said that support for living with cancer and coping after diagnosis is the most neglected area of cancer care in Estonia.

Leif said Estonia was facing a mental health crisis and a shortage of specialists. She argued that it would be a wise investment to use people with the motivation, knowledge and professional experience to bring about necessary changes.

“One of the areas struggling the most is life with cancer and coping after diagnosis. This is the area where we are beating the drum most strongly and seeing the most bottlenecks,” Leif said.

Onkoloogika has not received any state support so far, Leif said. The organisation joined the Estonian Chamber of People with Disabilities in the spring, and secured project funding to support Onkofest, but it has no permanent strategic partnership with the state.

Leif said the Estonian Cancer Union and the Estonian Association of Parents of Children with Cancer had received 26,000 euros and 16,000 euros respectively in operating support for this year.

Estonian cancer organisations submitted a joint appeal this year to the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Riigikogu Social Affairs Committee, but had not received a response by the time of the interview.

According to Leif, cancer is currently the only area of Estonia’s healthcare system with a national 10-year action plan. A mid-term assessment showed that only a marginal part of the plan had been implemented, she said.

Leif added that the plan had not been accompanied by funding to enable third-sector organisations to meet its objectives. She said the cancer sector had been underfunded for many years and that discussions should focus on addressing this rather than on cuts.