One in 10 wouldn’t seek urgent help

People in Kent who suspect they may have cancer symptoms are being urged to seek help despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Research has found around a third of people would be worried about seeking out medical opinion on their symptoms, with fears of catching the virus or burdening the NHS holding people back.

Now senior figures are stressing the importance of having worrying signs checked out as soon as possible, pointing to the establishment of Covid-free medical hubs across the south east designed to allow essential services to continue. Professor Peter Johnson, the NHS national clinical director for cancer, says NHS staff had worked hard to make sure people can get cancer checks and treatment safely so there is no need to delay.

“From online consultations to the roll-out of cancer treatment hubs we are doing all we can to make sure patients receive the life-saving care that they need,” Prof Johnson said.

“The wishes of patients and their families will always come first, and we have to make sure that people feel safe coming to hospitals, but my message is clear: people should seek help as they always would.

“We know finding cancer early gives us the best chance to cure it, and ignoring potential problems can have serious consequences now or in the future.” One in 10 people would not contact their GP even if they had discovered a lump or a new mole which did not go away after a week, a survey of attitudes towards cancer care during the pandemic has found.

But waiting to get help could have serious consequences for patients - and eventually lead to an even greater burden on the NHS.

The call for people to seek help as soon as they believe it is necessary follows a sharp drop in the number of cancer referrals as patients are not contacting their doctor.

Jane Lyons, chief executive of campaign group Cancer52, said putting off getting help would not be beneficial in the long run.