A Daily Express columnist living with incurable bowel cancer has urged Yvette Cooper to confirm when personal cancer plans will be introduced, warning that he will stage a funeral protest outside the Department of Health and Social Care if no start date is announced before he dies.
Writing in his weekly opinion column, the journalist recalled a recent dinner with university friends, noting that restaurants appear to be reducing the size of custard jugs. He described asking for more custard for a Welsh cake bread and butter pudding, in an Oliver-style "please sir, can I have some more?" moment.
Reflections on friendship and success
The meal prompted him to reflect on a question about which of his friends was most successful. He said that while the questioner may rank success by pay packets and job titles, he measures it by happiness and benefit to society. He noted that he and his friends had lived together at university but had not met as a group for 18 years.
He described himself as the "least successful friend," having moved between neighbouring south London boroughs, while his friends had travelled abroad, made TV programmes, saved lives, and improved social care. He added that they had brought children into the world and had handled difficult emotional situations.
Laughter and the mental battle
He said laughter is in short supply for him these days, not because of the cost-of-living crisis but because it is hard to stay cheerful with incurable bowel cancer. He recalled laughing after suggesting a friend pour two tiny jugs of custard on his nipples and then ask for more for his dessert.
He said he will remember that moment when he is next inpatient and the menu includes a "custard puck," and when his life is slipping away in a hospice. He expressed gratitude to the three people who became his friends in 2004 and to his supportive family, saying they help him fight cancer mentally, even though treatment sessions involve sitting and eating Mini Cheddars while messaging people.
Campaign for mental health support
He said he lacks the medical knowledge to alleviate physical side effects of cancer drugs or reduce sickness after chemotherapy, but he will do everything he can before he dies to improve the mental battle cancer patients face daily. That is why he started the Daily Express's Cancer Care campaign in January last year, calling for mental health support for cancer patients during and after treatment.
Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced in February that everyone diagnosed with cancer will have a personal cancer plan, ensuring emotional and mental health needs are met and providing support around work and benefits. The columnist said several charities have told him this is expected to be introduced early next year, but he wants firm details from the Government about when it will happen.
He said it needs to happen before he dies, otherwise he will put in his funeral wishes that the hearse carrying his coffin should stop outside the Department of Health and Social Care until Yvette Cooper makes an announcement about the start date, adding that no-one from the Government would want the publicity of such a traffic snarl-up.
