A University of Hong Kong study has shown a cancer support programme significantly improves the mental well-being of patients and their families. Provided by the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society, the 300-person study showed both patients and caregivers saying they felt less distressed after joining the Cancer Survivorship Care Project.

"The project provides a one-to-one service to the cancer patients and their carers because, once the patient is diagnosed with cancer, the family is definitely feeling very upset and very worried," said Patricia Chu, the chair of the Anti-Cancer Society.

"And they have to go through treatment and then they're concerned about the side effects. And also many other issues, such as financial, because they have to face the very high cost of medicine, which may not be covered by the government.

Chu said the programme had been running since 2015, after a pilot project found a need for the service. She said the programme was funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charity Trust and it involves five non-government organisations working together with the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society acting as the overall coordinator.

Chu said patients are matched with a social worker or a nurse, who assess their needs and provide the necessary services. These include information on the cancer, the treatment, and side effects, and the rehabilitation process, as well as diet.

She also said there had been a trend of younger people in the 18-60 age range being diagnosed with cancer, which provided a new set of challenges. In addition to the stress associated with the disease, a person in middle-age, for example, could have a mortgage or children studying overseas, she said.