2,000 cancer cases ‘going undiagnosed every week’

Nearly 2,000 cases of cancer are going undiagnosed every week due to the pandemic, a charity has warned. Macmillan Cancer Support said the country faces a ‘ticking time bomb’ of undiagnosed and untreated cancer that could lead to a surge in deaths. It found that postponed or cancelled hospital and GP appointments could mean 1,900 patients a week are not being diagnosed. Meanwhile hospitals have seen an average drop of 60% in those attending chemotherapy appointments, according to a study by University College London. Macmillan said the disease risks becoming ‘the forgotten C’, with a survey by the charity revealing that almost half of patients have had their cancer treatment delayed, cancelled or changed as a result of coronavirus. A study from the Institute of Cancer Research in London predicted last week that an extra 4,755 cancer patients will die early because of delays to surgery during the coronavirus pandemic. In England and Wales,

Macmillan analysis of official data showed there were at least 500 more deaths from cancer than average in March and April. Steven McIntosh, from Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “We’ve seen a very worrying drop in the number of people coming forward with suspected cancer symptoms to be referred for diagnosis by their GPs. We estimate that disruptions to GP referrals – screening programmes – could mean as many as 1,900 cases of cancer a week are currently going undiagnosed. ‘That’s why we’re warning that the size of this ticking time bomb is deeply worrying for people who are living with cancer but also for storing up huge problems for the NHS in trying to diagnose and treat cancer, when we have also seen significant disruption to cancer surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.” Macmillan wants the government to set out clear plans for restoring cancer care, explaining how patients will have access to timely diagnosis and treatment.