To help improve cancer treatments services on the Isle of Man, a survey of cancer patients has been commissioned by the Department of Health (DoH) to find out more about their experiences.

Questionnaires are being posted to a cross-section of people who have undergone cancer treatment, which explore aspects of the time they spent at Noble’s Hospital as patients.

Around 340 patients have been randomly selected for the survey from amongst those having undergone cancer treatment between May 2010 and April 2011.

Study participation is entirely voluntary, with results and an action plan hopefully available for publication at the start of next year.

Quality Health, a company which has carried out similar studies in England has been handed the task of carrying out the survey, with questionnaires posted to 343 cancer patients treated between May last year and April this year.

The Department of Health is asking cancer patients on the Island how it can improve treatment for those diagnosed with cancer.

Around 500 cases of cancer are diagnosed on the Isle of Man. The results of the survey are expected to be available early next year.