CANCER survivors and those continuing to battle the disease shared their experiences with healthcare professionals at a get-together in a North-East town.

Macmillan Cancer Support, Darlington Citizens Advice Bureau and the Darlington Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) organised the event at Darlington Fire Station on Friday (September 12).

Darlington MP Jenny Chapman attended, along with Dr James Carlton, lead cancer GP for the CCG.

Dr Carlton said: "The mix of people from both the service users and the clinical support outside of the consulting room was a real eye opener.

"What came through strongly was giving patients a voice and hearing first-hand of real experiences and difficulties of care.

"How that diagnosis has affected not just the patient but a huge ripple effect surrounding the whole family and the severe impact this has."

Gill Findley, director of nursing for the CCG, added: "The event sent a powerful message to key stakeholders and service providers of the real difficulties experienced by cancer patients.

"The service needs more funding and collaboration in distribution of resources to help walk people through the minefield of benefits and advice.

"Not only in advice on how to deal with the financial burden imposed from such a diagnosis, but what to claim help for and how to claim it."