Consultant warns people not to ignore any worrying symptoms
A CANCER consultant has urged patients with worrying symptoms to attend their NHS appointments and not let the ongoing national lockdown put them off.
Sean Watermeyer, a clinical lead for gynaecological cancers at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, is asking all those worried about suspicious lumps, unexplained weight loss, extreme tiredness, bleeding or a new, persistent pain to contact their GP surgery.
He said people should not let their concerns go unchecked despite Wales remaining under level 4 restrictions.
“We have obviously had to make some changes to our services, but the vast majority of cancer care has been able to continue as planned and we have been working around the clock to make our premises as safe as possible,” he said.
“We are concerned, however, that fewer people have been referred to us since last March, which suggests that there must be people who are displaying symptoms but are not coming forward to be diagnosed.”
Measures have been put in place across the Welsh NHS during the pandemic to ensure that those who need care can still get it safely.
GPs across the health board region are all offering phone and digital appointments to avoid unnecessary visits to the surgery, and all health settings have social distancing measures, hand hygiene, surface decontamination, ventilation and PPE usage in place.
Mr Watermeyer said he knew that worrying about symptoms could be extremely stressful and so contacting their GP could help to put people’s minds at ease.
“The majority of people who go to their GP with symptoms or have screening tests or investigations turn out not to have cancer so if you are worried, the chances are that you will be fine.
“However, if it does turn out to be something more serious, the sooner you find out, the sooner you can get the treatment and support you need and the higher your chances of getting better. Ignoring symptoms certainly won’t make then go away, so if you are worried, please talk to your GP.”
As well as encouraging people to come forward with their health concerns, Mr Watermeyer is also keen to make sure those patients in the area who have already been diagnosed with cancer keep to their scheduled appointments.
“While we understand their anxieties, we want to reassure patients that we have introduced enhanced cleaning of all clinical areas throughout the pandemic, and improved our infection, prevention and control procedures to keep all patients as safe as possible. All of our staff wear full personal protective equipment at all times and all patients are required to wear a face masks so we really would urge everyone to keep to their appointments if they are able to.”
As part of the Welsh Government’s Help Us Help You campaign, Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB said it is keen to reassure residents that they can still access the NHS for whatever care they need but should be sensible about how they do it.
“There is no doubt that our staff and services have been exceptionally stretched over the last year, but this should not put off people from getting any worries checked.”
Classical musician Cath Palmer, 48, from Pontyclun, was diagnosed with breast cancer just before the first wave of the pandemic hit. In February last year, she found a lump in her armpit in the shower and went immediately to get it checked out.
She said: “I know that lots of people’s first instinct if they notice a change in their body is to bury their heads in the sand and try to ignore the symptoms, but I just had a gut feeling that something wasn’t right and so didn’t hesitate to book an appointment with my doctor.
“He referred me to radiology and after my ultrasound on February 18, I was told it was breast cancer. I was devastated. You just never believe that it’s going to happen to you.
“Thankfully, my husband was with me at that point as the pandemic hadn’t taken hold yet but that was the last time that I had anyone else with me throughout the whole of my treatment, which has been tough.”