COVID-19: charity warns of knock-on effect on cancer care

Cancer Research UK survey reveals one in three cancer patients has experienced disruption to services

One in three cancer patients has experienced cancellations, delays and changes to their treatment due to the impact of COVID-19 on services.

Charity Cancer Research UK (CRUK) estimates around 38,000 fewer treatments have taken place since lockdown began at the end of March than would normally have taken place in an 18-week period. 

A survey carried out by the charity found about four in ten people (42%) also said their tests – including those to find out whether their cancer had spread or returned – had been affected, according to the survey of 1,900 cancer patients carried out in May.  

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Dealing with the backlog of cancer treatment

Some cancer services have started to recover since then, but CRUK remains worried that treatment, diagnosis, and screening are not restarting fast enough, and that the backlog is mounting.

• RELATED: Exhausted nurses ‘will need support to restart services’ after pandemic

CRUK chief clinician Charles Swanton said: 'It has been a stressful and lonely time for many patients, worried about coming to hospital for fear of catching the virus or having their treatment delayed or altered.

'The government must ensure, in advance of a resurgence of COVID-19 in the winter months, that patients have access to COVID-19-protected hospital facilities across the country so they can be cared for with little risk of contracting the virus.’

Patients left without care or support

Around 70% of people who had delays or cancellations to cancer testing and treatment reported feeling more frustrated and anxious. 

One survey respondent who had treatment for early stage breast cancer said her annual mammogram was postponed indefinitely.

• RELATED: People with breast cancer fearing for survival during pandemic

'I worry that if I have a recurrence, it will be more advanced than it would have been pre-COVID,’ she said.

Another respondent, a 33-year-old man with stage four lung and gastrointestinal cancer, said: 'My diagnosis is terminal, and I wish I could attend support groups consisting of other terminal patients. It’s been upsetting coping with this without easy access to emotional support services.'

COVID-friendly cancer treatments

A number of cancer treatments deemed 'COVID-friendly' and safer for patients to take during the pandemic are being rolled out in England and paid for through a £160 million funding boost.

Targeted hormone therapies – such as enzalutamide for prostate cancer and broadened use of lenalidomide in the treatment of myeloma – are among the options now available for clinicians and patients.

NHS chief executive Simon Stevens said the adoption of 'new, kinder treatment options' were safer for use during the COVID-19 pandemic and more convenient for many patients, who can take medication at home or be given medicines with less harmful effects on their immune system.

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