Making quality of life matter

Early diagnosis, person-centred care and appropriate support as part of an integrated treatment plan can improve outcomes for patients

Back in 2010, Nic Puntis went to the doctor because he was suffering from a stomachache and indigestion. His doctor spotted that “something wasn't quite right,” and ordered an MRI. Three weeks later, Mr Puntis underwent what was initially thought to be a two hour surgery. Eleven hours later, the doctors had removed an eight centimetre gastrointestinal tumor and a quarter of Mr Puntis’ stomach.

Back in 2010, Nic Puntis went to the doctor because he was suffering from a stomach ache and indigestion. His doctor spotted that “something wasn't quite right” and ordered an MRI scan. Three weeks later, Mr Puntis underwent what was initially thought to be a two-hour surgery. Eleven hours later, the surgeons had removed an 8-cm gastrointestinal tumour and a quarter of his stomach. 

Learning that he had Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour (GIST), a rare cancer that begins in the digestive system, came as a shock—and naturally his first focus was survival. “The doctors told me the tumour had been removed with all margins,” Mr Puntis says. “That's what you want to hear when you have an operation, that margins are clear.” But a biopsy showed that he had an aggressive form of cancer with a high incidence of spread and recurrence, so he was placed on adjuvant treatment to reduce the risk. He would remain on the treatment for three years—and that is when his focus shifted to quality of life.

Learning that he had Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST), a rare cancer that begins in the digestive system, came as a shock and naturally his first focus was survival. “The doctors told me the tumor had been removed with all margins,” he says. “That's what you want to hear when you have an operation, that margins are clear.” But a biopsy on the tumor showed that he had an aggressive form of cancer with a high risk of spread and recurrence, so he was placed on adjuvant treatment. He would remain on the treatment for three years—and that is when his focus shifted to quality of life.

Emotional stability, pain management, nutrition and coping techniques can make an enormous difference in the lives of those living with cancer. By looking beyond treating just the cancer to managing all patient needs, healthcare professionals can improve their patients' quality of life.¹ Increasingly this is being recognised as an important measure of treatment success.² Mr Puntis emphasises the importance both of early diagnosis and a holistic approach as critical to his care experience and outcome.

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Mr Puntis points out that improved collaboration between the NHS and patient advocacy groups could help to educate individuals and medical professionals about rare cancers.

But he believes that some medical professionals lack expertise in diagnosing and managing rare cancers, “A lot of doctors and surgeons think they're specialists in GIST and they're not, because they just see it as a stomach cancer.” Catching cancers early leads to better chances of survival, but also reduces pressure on the healthcare system. Only 54% of cancers in the UK are diagnosed in the early stages.¹ It’s an area that should be improved, says Mr Puntis. Sure, part of the issue is that patients don’t go to the doctors soon enough with an issue. But there are also long waiting lists for appointments, a lack of diagnostic equipment, and some diagnoses’ inherent complexity.

Only 54% of cancers in the UK are diagnosed in the early stages¹.

Not just surviving, but living

Cancer treatment can be physically, mentally and financially draining. “I went through two months of not being able to eat solids at all and was taking liquid protein shakes. Incisions were made to my stomach muscles, which impacted my balance and meant that I had to use a walking stick,” says Mr Puntis.

Cancer staff are supportive, he agrees, but their focus is on treatment and survival. Many hospitals, he says, tell patients: “You’ve got a rare cancer. We are going to take it out and you should be fine”—and that’s it. But that’s not it. Patients need emotional support—which Mr Puntis received from patient advocacy groups and charities. 

Unfortunately, many people living with cancer don’t find that support. Hospitals could and should point patients to the charities, Mr Puntis says. That’s step one. Step two is persuading patients to accept help. “A lot of patients don’t accept that they've got cancer or don't want to talk about it.” But once they do engage with support charities, they’re really pleased because of the amount of help and support that they get, he adds. “The first thing I say in my opening words [at a meeting] is: ‘You’re going to hear me say “positive mental attitude” a lot.’ I like to think people come out of those meetings feeling more buoyant than they did when they went in. That, to me, is a big part of it. A lot of people do need and use psychological help.” 

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The first thing I say in my opening words (at a meeting) is: ‘You’re going to hear me say “positive mental attitude” a lot.’ I like to think people come out of those meetings feeling more buoyant than they did when they went in. That, to me, is a big part of it.

These support groups also provide the everyday practical advice that is so critical—for example, on issues such as coping with side effects like fatigue and nausea, and the long recovery from surgery and chemotherapy. 

Easing the financial burden

Going through cancer treatment is difficult enough for patients and their families, but the financial impacts can cause additional stress. Mr Puntis had taken out a private critical illness policy that provided his family with significant financial support during his treatment. Although public financial support schemes are available, he questions whether they fully meet the needs of those unable to work for extended periods, and he therefore encourages self-employed individuals to consider obtaining supplementary private insurance.

Spreading the word on support

PP-UNP-GBR-13576, October 2025

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