‘Covid isn’t the only Big C’
As new research reveals the catastrophic effect the pandemic has had on UK cancer treatment, Deborah James, alias Bowel Babe, warns…
Deborah James was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer just before Christmas 2016. Since then, this amazing woman has become one of the UK’s most high-profile campaigners for raising awareness about people living with cancer.
The mum-of-two, a deputy head teacher better known these days as Bowel Babe, blogs and posts on social media about her battle with the disease – and has won millions of fans, who are amazed by her courage and positive outlook.
Deborah was rushed into hospital again recently for an emergency op to fit a stent in her liver, as an inoperable tumour was blocking her bile duct, obstructing her liver and causing dangerous toxins to flood her body.
Thankfully, the surgery was a success, and Deborah was able to start on another course of chemotherapy.
She wrote, ‘It’s miserable and really tough, but I get to do it and I have a team bending over backwards to help me.
‘I know I am one of the very, very lucky cancer patients.’
But, as usual, thinking of others, Deborah took to her platforms to raise awareness of a crucial issue – the effect that the Covid pandemic has had on cancer care in the UK.
In a tweet, she said: ‘Research from Cancer Research UK shows that cancer care is at risk of going backwards without Big C-style intervention It’s not good enough @savidjavid.
‘I hate chemo, but myself and Em feel lucky to have it @royalmarsden. The backlog is huge, diagnosis is delayed, lives are at risk.’
On her Instagram Stories, she wrote: ‘Medics up and down the country are doing everything they can to help clear the backlog of cancer patients who missed treatment due to Covid.
‘But the real Big C will be catastrophic if cancer services are not given even a fraction of the amount and resources directed at fighting Covid.
‘ We can’t forget that more people die of cancer, on average, each year than died of Covid.’
As Deborah pointed out, with one in two people diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, it is vital that cancer services go forwards, not backwards.
On Instagram she wrote: ‘There are still tens of thousands of people left undiagnosed, waiting for tests – and yet more disruption means that this is far from over.
‘The research also shows how cancer patients feel their care has deteriorated since Covid hit. This isn’t good enough, it can’t be a postcode lottery of care. It’s time to iron out the “glitches” and ensure we haven’t jumped from one C crisis into another.’
It’s a telling wake-up call from someone who knows better than anyone the devastating reality of this awful disease.
‘More die of cancer each year than died of Covid’