Cancer care less likely to be seen as ‘very good’ during pandemic

Cancer Research UK has claimed that almost a third of cancer patients have reported receiving worse care since the coronavirus pandemic began.

Whilst NHS staff have worked tirelessly throughout the crisis and many cancer patients have reported positive experiences of coronavirus safety protocols, the impact of the pandemic on cancer services and cancer patients has been devastating.

A survey from the charity found that 29 per cent of the 900 cancer patients surveyed between December 2020 and March 2021 experienced delays, cancellations or changes to their treatment. More than eight in 10 had recalled their care as being ‘very good’ pre-pandemic. However, almost three in 10 have subsequently downgraded their rating since the start of the pandemic.

Cancer Research UK hopes these figures will encourage governments to secure more long-term funding for cancer care in the UK.

Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, said: “Covid-19 hit the health system hard and cancer services suffered as a result, but even before the pandemic struck cancer targets were not being met. And now, for the first time in decades, we’re faced with the fact that cancer survival could go backwards.”

Monthly numbers of patients starting treatment are now similar to, or slightly higher than pre-pandemic levels, but this was not the case for most of the pandemic, with thousands fewer patients starting treatment during the pandemic than expected.