Supportive care and the use of relaxation therapy in a district cancer service.

The development of a cancer support organisation, CancerCare, for North Lancashire and South Lakeland is described. The use of relaxation therapy is described to illustrate the demand for supportive care. Between January 1990 and 1991, 513 patients, 243 relatives and 143 bereaved were referred to five cancer support nurses. One hundred and sixty-two (32%), 29 (12%) and 49 (34%) respectively, used relaxation therapy. The high demand for supportive care suggests that services should be made available in any district health provider unit. Measures of benefit and better definition of services are required before clear recommendations can be made.