Thousands of people in Wales living with 'chronic cancer' charity warns

New research suggests thousands of people in Wales could be living with ''chronic cancer.''

A study by charity Macmillan Cancer Support shows at least 136,000 people in the UK are living with a ''chronic'' form of cancer - known as treatable but not curable.

The charity say this could mean around 8,000 people in Wales are living with cancer that can be managed but rarely cured.

The charity warn the uncertainty of the condition causes significantly higher levels of anxiety, fear and pain in patients due to the requirement for constant tests and procedures to monitor the disease.

In a UK survey, they found over 70% of patients said they were not getting the right emotional or physical support they need.

The Welsh Government has been approached for comment.

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Former Assembly member for Clwyd South, Karen Sinclair, has been living with incurable multiple myelomas for 11 years.

After an initial eight month course of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, she now has regular blood tests and yearly check-ups.

''When I was diagnosed I thought it was a death sentence,'' Karen said.

''But due to huge strides in medical science, more and more people are living with cancer now and you can almost regard it as a chronic condition.

''I didn't think I would live to get to see my grandchildren, but I did, I now have three beautiful grandchildren.''