As many as 50,000 people in the UK have cancer which has not been diagnosed because of coronavirus disruption, a charity has warned.
Macmillan Cancer Support said patients are facing ‘unbearable and unprecedented delays’ which could affect their chances of survival.
In a startling report addressing the impact of Covid-19 on cancer care, the charity said thousands of people are not visiting their GP, while vital appointments, surgeries, and treatments have all been disrupted.
The NHS has urged people not to sit on any worrying symptoms and seek help, while Macmillan called on the Government to promise that every person with cancer won’t be forgotten.
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‘Cancer care is at a crossroads and services cannot be shut down this winter,’ Macmillan chief executive Lynda Thomas said.
‘Because of the pandemic, we estimate that an additional 50,000 people are missing a cancer diagnosis and others are having their appointments disrupted once again.
‘It is simply unacceptable that they face unbearable and unprecedented delays which could affect their chances of survival.
‘Cancer doesn’t stop for Covid-19 and neither can our health services. Macmillan is doing whatever it takes to support people with cancer and our exhausted NHS staff but we need more.
‘Governments need to promise every person with cancer that they won’t be forgotten and ensure cancer services are protected – come what may.’
An NHS spokesperson said the health service has worked hard to maintain urgent cancer operations during the pandemic, and said Macmillan’s findings are ‘flawed’.
They said: ‘Because thanks to the hard work of NHS staff, cancer treatments are actually back to pre-pandemic levels.
‘The majority of people who have not been diagnosed are people who have not come forward for checks and so our message is clear – if you have worrying symptoms you must get this checked – the NHS is ready and able to treat you.’
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman added: ‘Cancer diagnosis and treatment has remained a priority throughout the pandemic – more than 200,000 people were treated for cancer during the first peak – and we urge people to come forward if they have symptoms.
‘The NHS treated two non-Covid patients for every one Covid patient during the first wave of the pandemic and more than 870,000 people were referred for cancer checks between March and August.
‘£3 billion has been allocated to the NHS to prepare for winter including funding for Nightingale hospital surge capacity and to upgrade A&E facilities so the NHS can continue to provide urgent care.’
The Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 is open seven days a week from 8am-8pm.
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