Macmillan urges government to ensure cancer doesn't become 'forgotten C'

Macmillan Cancer Support warns of a potential cancer ‘timebomb’ in Scotland and the UK as a whole following the disruption to diagnosis, treatment and care for tens of thousands of people due to Covid-19.

Official figures reveal the number of people dying from cancer in Scotland is already 5 per cent higher than average since the UK lockdown began.

Macmillan’s analysis and the Scottish Government’s own statistics suggest almost 600 cancers will have gone undiagnosed if screening – paused on March 30 – doesn’t resume by the end of June.

The charity is concerned that the combination of a predicted build-up of those waiting for treatment, together with fewer people being seen for suspected cancer due to coronavirus, could result in a notable increase in the number of people dying from cancer.

Earlier this month the government said urgent referrals had improved, but were still nearly 50 per cent lower than normal.

With government figures showing between 3-5 per cent of urgent referrals result in a cancer diagnosis, Macmillan analysis suggests this drop in referrals could equate to around 50 missed or delayed cancer diagnoses each week.

New analysis by Macmillan also shows the UK is second only to Spain when it comes to people with cancer avoiding hospitals and other healthcare settings because of coronavirus.

An international study by YouGov and Imperial College of London found that during April, three in four people with cancer in the UK (77 per cent) said they had completely avoided medical settings in the previous week, which equates to more than two million people with cancer across the UK.

As a result of coronavirus, Macmillan saw a rise in demand for a number of its services and has launched new virtual ones – such as telephone buddying and an online health and wellbeing offer – to prevent people with cancer from falling through the cracks.

However, the charity is facing an income loss of up to 50 per cent for this year and is appealing to the public for funds.

Macmillan is calling on the Scottish Government to use the Health Secretary’s planned statement next week to set out clear plans for restoring cancer care that clarify how cancer patients will have access to timely diagnosis and treatment, with surge capacity to catch up on the backlog of care coronavirus has caused.

Janice Malone, from Macmillan, said: “While the NHS had to react to the unprecedented coronavirus emergency, ten weeks on from the beginning of lockdown, people with cancer need answers on when their treatment will restart and how it will do so safely.

“We also need to know when screening will get back up and running and how the government plans to counteract the significant drop in urgent GP referrals.

“Cancer can’t be allowed to become the forgotten C. We urgently need a plan from the government that sets out how it will get the cancer care system back up and running and how those who missed tests, diagnoses and treatments will be prioritised.”

As well as the likelihood of delayed diagnosis, Macmillan’s support services are hearing from people with cancer whose treatment has been disrupted by the virus.

Allan Harper-Reid, Senior Cancer Information Nurse Specialist at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “It has been deeply concerning to receive calls from many people who have been in touch with Macmillan to talk about worries they have around delays and changes to their cancer treatment.

“We are hearing every day from people who have seen their treatments postponed for a period of time, including follow-up scans and check-ups, which have potentially been delayed for months. This is having a huge negative impact on people’s mental health, with many people saying they feel like they’ve been forgotten about.

“A lot of calls we’ve received on the Macmillan support line during the pandemic are from people that are scared their cancer may progress while they wait for treatment, or fear that they may become too unwell to have treatment.

“Many people that have received a new diagnosis in the recent months are feeling like they aren’t being given any treatment options.

“Many of those we've spoken to are feeling incredibly anxious. I would encourage anyone who might be worried about their cancer treatment to talk with their health care teams at the hospital, either by phone or video call if available.”

To join Macmillan’s campaign or donate to Macmillan’s emergency fundraising appeal visit www.macmillan.org.uk.