The total number of people who have seen a specialist for suspected cancer following an urgent GP referral in London since the pandemic began, is still more than 27,500 lower than expected, compared to 2019[i]. The drop is the equivalent of urgent referrals in London having been suspended for over 3 weeks [ii].
This could potentially put those with suspected cancer at risk of a late cancer diagnosis that could affect their outcomes.
At the same time, the total number of people starting cancer treatment in London since the start of the pandemic is about 2,400 lower than expected. The NHS in London is currently starting treatment for more patients per month than in 2019, but this momentum needs to be maintained to clear the backlog.
Emma Tingley, Head of Partnerships in London at Macmillan Cancer Support, said:
“Thousands of people living in London continue to experience delays to diagnosis or treatment. The latest data continues to illustrate the huge challenges still facing NHS cancer services on top of all the well-known winter challenges.
“Healthcare staff across the capital work tirelessly to offer the best possible care, support people and save lives. But London has the highest nursing vacancy rates in England[iii] and without extra funding, we are deeply concerned the situation for people with cancer will go from bad to worse.”
Paola (52) who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 and colorectal cancer in 2020, has undergone a range of treatments and experienced delays:
“After my first diagnosis, it took about 6 months for my records to be transferred from Cornwall to London. When I started experiencing some pain under my arm pit and my GP requested a scan to make sure it was nothing serious, months went by. I eventually had a letter through for an oncologist appointment, however the appointment kept getting cancelled. I have yet to see an NHS oncologist for over 3 years.
“In May 2020 I started to get bleeding, was in a lot of pain. By July it had become so bad that I contacted the GP. I was eventually diagnosed with bowel cancer that would have likely been picked up if they scanned me during my breast cancer treatment. [They believe] My bowel cancer tumour took approximately 8 years to grow as large as it did, so it actually came first.”
Macmillan continues to support both professionals and thousands of Londoners with cancer or cancer symptoms who may have faced disruption to their treatment or appointments and may be worrying about the long-term implications on their health, families and future. For support, contact our specially trained nurses and experts on the Macmillan Support Line, 0808 808 00 00 (8am-8pm, 7 days/week) or visit macmillan.org.uk.
