CONCERN OVER CANCER OPS DELAY
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to worsen across Wales, hundreds of cancer patients could die as treatment stalls – a cancer charity warns
With the number of people diagnosed with the virus rising by hundreds each day, the NHS is under increasing pressure with temporary hospitals being set up all over the country.
Tenovous Cancer Care has said that cancer services are under a huge strain as resources have been diverted to tackle the Covid-19 outbreak.
They have warned that delays in treatment and screening could mean both current and future cancer patients will struggle to get the care and treatment they need.
The dire reality of the situation is affecting cancer patients across Wales who are facing changes and postponements in their treatment due to the virus.
Phil Coventry from Anglesey had part of his procedure cancelled after travelling 200 miles for an operation to remove tissue and glands following a skin cancer diagnosis in February.
His operation was due to take place on March 24, just one day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson enforced a lockdown on the nation.
Now, coronavirus means that he might have to receive important follow-up appointments online.
Due to the limited health services on Anglesey, Phil was sent to Whiston Hospital in Merseyside for the treatment.
The 66-year-old was due to be having skin removed as well as a dye mapping procedure to see if the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes. However, at 6.30pm the night before the arranged operation, the dye mapping treatment was cancelled.
“We travelled the night before but received a call that evening to say that they were cancelling the mapping procedure and moving the excision to the next day,” he said.
“The surgeon was keen to do the procedure in full as planned but unfortunately he told me his hands were tied while the team waited for the expected rise in coronavirus patients.
“It felt as if there had been a knee jerk reaction because of the announcement, the hospital was on complete lockdown.”
“I was told that the procedure was cancelled because they were concerned about cross infection – I don’t understand how that affected me as I was going to be in the hospital anyway.”
While Phil did have the operation to remove the skin tissue, he was unaware that this would mean he could no longer have the dye mapping treatment – making it impossible to tell if the cancer had spread.
“It was only then was I told that because the surgery had now taken place I wouldn’t be able to have the dye mapping done to see if it had spread.
“Though they said lymph nodes could be affected they haven’t checked. It’s now just a watch and wait situation that’s keeping me awake at night. I was told that I’d probably have a scan at some point but I worry about how long I’ll wait and what they might find after the delay.
“I’ve been asked if I would be prepared to do follow up interviews online going forward which I assume means they won’t be examining me themselves at all. It feels like I might be expected to diagnose myself but I haven’t got a clue what I’m looking for so any little lump could be cancerous to me. It’s left us feeling annoyed and abandoned.”
“The worst bit is not knowing whether it has spread, theres just no way of knowing. It’s a waiting game.”
Bowel cancer patient Wayne John and his wife Dianne, who has endometrial cancer, have had a scan cancelled and say they have been left worried by the delays in scans and treatment since the outbreak.
Mr John, from Swansea, said: “My wife has a suspected peritoneal cancer (a rare type of cancer that can develop when gynaecological cancers spread) and was due to have a CT scan on Monday, 16 March but was called on the Friday before to say that it was cancelled.
“I was due to have an MRI for an on-going issue with a post-surgical infection and was told this was going ahead as it was considered urgent, but clearly my wife’s scan is far more urgent than mine.
“When I called the hospital to speak the consultant, the person I spoke to agreed Dianne’s scan was urgent and said someone would call back to rearrange it but we have not heard anything since.
“The delays and confusion are very worrying. We completely understand that it was impossible to plan for the Covid-19 outbreak but the lives of cancer and other patients need to be considered because otherwise there are going to be a lot of hidden victims of this crisis.”
Mrs Rhys added: “Cancer services were already under huge pressure but now we are seeing a reduction in theatre space for surgeries and fewer available beds in intensive care units so many people face having their surgery delayed for some time.
“Highly-specialised staff who normally deliver radiotherapy are being deployed to other areas and chemotherapy treatments are being
Cancer services were already under huge pressure but now we are seeing a reduction in theatre space for surgeries and fewer available beds in intensive care units so many people face having their surgery delayed for some time
JUDI RHYS, TENOVUS CANCER CARE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
delayed because of the risk of infection to patients.
“Sick and dying cancer patients who received community-based care also facing serious issues when trying to access their usual levels of care.”
Mum of two Carolyn Gammon from Port Talbot was diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant in 2015.
After giving birth, Carolyn discovered that the cancer had spread and she was diagnosed with secondary cancer of the lung.
Fortunately, Carolyn’s condition is developing slowly meaning that she doesn’t need to visit hospital.
The 47-year-old’s biggest concern is that should she get the illness, her incurable illness means she night not get a bed.
“Although I’m living with secondary breast cancer I’m really lucky that I’m doing well at the moment and not having to visit hospital regularly,” she said.
“The main worry for me during the coronavirus outbreak is the way that care is being prioritised, especially if we get to the point where there aren’t enough hospital beds.”
“If I were to get ill, I wouldn’t die from the virus, I’d die from a lack of resources.”
“If the choice was between me with an incurable illness and someone with coronavirus that was otherwise fit and healthy, I know I wouldn’t be the first pick. They would choose the person they’re most likely to save and that only really hit home when I saw the news recently where doctors had to make these decisions.”
“Thankfully that’s a worst case scenario for me at the moment; I had a scan just before social distancing kicked in and I can get the results by phone. But for people who are due to have treatment or are in the advanced stages of cancer progression it’s a real possibility.”
Only weeks after receiving the devastating diagnosis she had caecal cancer – a form of colon cancer – 62-year-old Lillian Evans found herself back in the doctor’s office and looking at the results of a CT scan.
She was told the heartbreaking news that tumours had spread to her abdomen and pelvis and she was given as little as nine months to live.
After aggressive chemotherapy treatment, Lillian and her partner of 22 years, Don Moore, 67, couldn’t believe their ears after their oncologist told them that the cancer could be operable, which could result in the grandmother’s life being extended another five to seven years.
Upon receiving the good news that Lillian’s life could be extended, then came the bad news that the treatment could not take place in Wales, and the couple would have to raise £70,000 to have the operation in Basingstoke.
Now, despite being told an operation would be viable it has been pushed back due to coronavirus. Instead, Lillian has been put back on Chemotherapy.
“Even if the coronavirus went away tomorrow, we’d have to wait four weeks after the last chemo session before she could have it”, said Lillian’s partner Don. For Lillian, the chemo is a case of ‘have to’. There’s just no other option.”
While chemotherapy can be a traumatising and gruelling experience, this is now even more the case due to coronavirus.
Whereas usually family can sit with the patients and visit, this is now no longer allowed.
“She has to go on her own now,” said Don.
“We can’t go in to see her or anything. It’s not very comfortable to think of her in her on her own.”
Judi Rhys, Tenovus Cancer Care Chief Executive, said: “We’re working hard to be the voice of cancer patients in Wales during the coronavirus crisis and to make sure their needs are not forgotten at this time.
“We know our healthcare systems are under incredible pressure but we can’t treat coronavirus patients at the expense of looking after people living with a cancer diagnosis.
“It is very encouraging to know NHS Wales chief executive Dr Andrew Goodall has now written to all health boards to tell them to continue to prioritise cancer patients and to maintain treatments as much as possible.
“We would like patients to continue to contact us with their experiences of cancer care during this time and any patients worried about their health can call our free, nurse-led Support Line on 0808 808 1010 any day of the week.”
HOUSING Minister Julie James has written to every social housing tenant in Wales to reassure them they will not lose their home if they can’t pay their rent because of the coronavirus.
In her letter, Ms James said: “The Welsh Government is taking action to make sure help and support is available when you need it, right across Wales. Local authorities and registered social landlords have agreed everyone should be treated fairly.” Ms James’ letter says they will: Keep you safe and secure in your home;
Help you get the financial support you need;
Support you and find solutions if you have difficulty paying your rent;
Do everything they can to support your wellbeing.
“If you have received notice from your landlord that your rent is increasing from April, we don’t want this to add to your worries. All social landlords have agreed not to take eviction action against any tenants experiencing financial hardship as a result of coronavirus. I have asked them to go further and ensure every tenant can get support when they need it and that no tenants are left with unmanageable debts when the coronavirus crisis is over.
“Everyone’s circumstances will be different. It is important you can access advice and support, which is right for you. Please make sure if you are or think you might, suffer from financial hardship, that you talk to your landlord as soon as possible. They will be able to help and advise you.”
Stuart Ropke, chief executive at Community Housing Cymru, said: “The number one priority for housing associations at this time is to ensure tenants are safe and secure, and support them through any financial hardship they experience.
“Housing associations across Wales have shown time and again that they are resilient and adaptable organisations. We are all too aware that it will be social housing tenants who are most likely to feel the brunt of the economic impact of Covid-19, and I am proud to see housing associations come together with local government to make a clear commitment to support tenants throughout this period.”
Councillor Andrea Lewis of Swansea council, the Welsh Local Government Association’s housing spokesperson, said: “We know that many people will be worried at this extremely difficult time, which is why we’re pleased to be able to offer much-needed reassurance to social housing tenants.
“This agreed approach will ensure that councils and housing associations will provide support which is targeted at individuals and their distinct set of circumstances at this time of such great upheaval.”