Words by Smiley Team
The NHS and the UK’s leading cancer charities have launched a campaign urging people not to hesitate to get checked as new research revealed that nearly half of the public have concerns about seeking help during the coronavirus pandemic.
One in 10 people would not contact their GP even if they had a lump or a new mole which did not go away after a week, the survey found. Another third of people would worry about seeking help, according to polling carried out by Portland.
Getting coronavirus or giving it to their family were among the top reasons that people would not come forward when they have cancer symptoms along with fears that they could be a burden to the health service.
Professor Peter Johnson, the NHS clinical director for cancer, stressed that NHS staff had worked hard to make sure people can get cancer checks and treatment safely so there is no need to delay. Professor Johnson emphasises that ‘NHS staff have made huge efforts to deal with coronavirus but they are also working hard to ensure that patients can safely access essential services such as cancer checks and urgent surgery
‘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. We know that finding cancer early gives us the best chance to cure it, and ignoring potential problems can have serious consequences now or in the future.’ Professor Johnson’s call follows sharp drop in cancer referrals as patients are not contacting their GP for health advice over fears about contracting the coronavirus.
Lynda Thomas, Chief Executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “Macmillan wholeheartedly welcomes this NHS campaign encouraging people to contact their GP if they are experiencing the signs of cancer.’
‘We urge you not to put it off, and don’t think you’re not a priority during coronavirus. Safeguard your own health and get any concerns checked out. Not diagnosing and treating many cancers fast makes treatment harder and can reduce the chance of survival.’
Natalie Haskell, CEO of Breast Cancer Charity CoppaFeel! who work with young people said: ‘We know despite coronavirus, breast cancer remains the most common cancer in the UK and many people will be worrying about changes to their breasts during this period. At CoppaFeel! we are dedicated to educating people about the importance of checking themselves and presenting early to the GP if they notice any unusual, persistent change.’
‘Breast cancer is very treatable if found early and we urge people to listen to the NHS and continue to seek out their GP as normal if they are concerned about symptoms.’
Richard Davidson, Chief Executive of national bone and soft tissue cancer charity Sarcoma UK wants to reminds the public that ‘Cancers of any kind don’t stop simply because we’re in the midst of a pandemic, and for those less common cancers where symptoms might be vague, or where they can develop in any part of the body like sarcoma, it makes it even more essential to have any suspicious symptoms looked at as soon as possible’ says
‘We need to make sure people still contact their GP if they are worried about cancer, and campaigns like this play a crucial role in making that happen.’
The charities involved and the NHS emphasise that in most cases, people will not have cancer but that if you do receive a cancer diagnosis, early treatment is the most effective.
By Ellen Jones
