Recent Public Health England data is further confirmation that fewer people have been diagnosed with cancer than expected since the start of the pandemic. The number of people admitted to hospital with cancer for the first time in London was about 4,200 lower than expected when comparing April to December 2019 to the same period in 2020.
While emergency presentations for cancer in London seem to have now almost returned to pre-pandemic levels, the record high of nearly 1,700 people diagnosed this way between July and September 2020 remains of concern as the disease has often reached a late stage by the time of an emergency presentation, affecting people’s chances of survival.
Before Covid-19, people first diagnosed with cancer following an emergency presentation were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with advanced cancer than those diagnosed via other routes. Between 2015 and 2016, more than half (58%) of people diagnosed with cancer following an emergency presentation were diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, compared with just a fifth (22%) of those diagnosed via an urgent two-week-wait referral from their GP.
Similarly, before Covid-19, people first diagnosed with cancer following an emergency presentation had, on average, significantly lower survival rates. Between 2011 and 2015, one-year survival for those diagnosed via an emergency presentation was just 40%, compared with 85% of those diagnosed following an urgent two-week-wait referral from their GP.
Alexandra Callaghan, Policy Manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, said:
“NHS cancer care is beset by a chronic shortage of staffing and resources. Patients and staff urgently need the Government to do more to fix this problem. It must deliver a long-term, fully-funded plan for the workforce which increases the number of staff and covers training, retention and pay, so the enormous challenges which lie ahead for cancer care can be effectively managed.
“It is still very important for anyone with symptoms or suspicion of cancer symptoms to take action and call their GP immediately.”
The charity wants to ensure everyone affected by cancer during the pandemic is making use of its round-the-clock support and is urging patients and their loved ones to contact its phoneline (0808 808 00 00). Macmillan’s cancer information and support specialists are able to offer confidential support money worries, work or treatment. Whatever may be on your mind, Macmillan is there to listen and support those in need.
