Covid wrecks cancer testing

THE number of patients starting cancer treatment dropped by 26% – or 31,000 people – between April and July compared with last year.

In total, three million have missed out on cancer screening during the pandemic, research shows.

Analysis by Cancer Research UK suggests 350,000 people who would otherwise have been referred to hospital with suspected symptoms were missed since March.

The fall was due to diagnostic services being halted and patients being reluctant to come forward.

Charity chief Michelle Mitchell said it “has had a devastating impact on cancer services and patients”.

Dr Jeanette Dickson of the Royal College of Radiologists said: “It’s really important the Government indicates it’s not just clapping for the NHS, but backing it.”