The world is slowly beginning to emerge from the global COVID-19 pandemic with governments slowly lifting restrictions as infection rates in respective countries wind down. With so much emphasis having been placed on staying home when possible, it has coincided with an alarming downturn in cancer diagnosis.
In the United Kingdom, which has been one of the hardest-hit countries in terms of the virus, 79,573 patients were referred to a specialist consultant for suspected cancer by their GP in April 2020. Compared to almost 200,000 referrals in April 2019, that represents a huge year-on-year drop, which might otherwise lead you to believe that cancer is petering out along with COVID-19 if you didn’t know any better.
Of course, that simply isn’t the case. Cancer isn’t going anywhere, regardless of any social distancing measures in place. It is for this reason that, despite what is happening around us, we absolutely must get any possible signs checked out by a medical professional.
The Effects of Lockdown
Moving away from cancer for just a moment, the effects of lockdown have been widespread and those scars won’t fade away easily. Large sections of the population have not only been asked to remove themselves from society but have been frightened into an enforced hibernation. It is clear that just because government officials begin to lift restrictions that doesn’t mean that everyone is willing to venture outside into this so-called ‘new normal’ just yet. It is going to take time.
This is especially true for those most vulnerable to the effects of the Coronavirus, which can have fatal consequences for those living with underlying health conditions. Many countries have taken the steps to ‘shield’ those at higher risk in an attempt to reduce the horrific death tolls that have been published over the last few months.
Through months of living in fear, it is understandable why those who are now, or soon will be, told they are safe to go out and visit establishments such as shops, restaurants and pubs – with vast amounts of people – are more than a little sceptical. They have heard nothing but horror stories for the majority of the year, so why should they believe that things have suddenly gotten better? Having been told of the very real risks of contracting COVID-19, why on earth would they want to put themselves in a position where they could become infected by the virus?
It is that same grip of fear that has resulted in so many refusing to see their GP for routine check-ups. With a lack of appointments comes a drop in referrals, but do not believe for one second that cancer has gone anywhere as this is one disease that has no respect for social distancing and has been living alongside us during lockdown.
How Cancer Treatment Have Evolved
How cancer is treated has evolved rapidly over the last few years alone off the back of fantastic research that has undoubtedly saved thousands of lives. In the UK, the chances of surviving cancer have doubled over the last 40 years, with a 50% survival rate (although women are statistically more likely to survive cancer than men).
This is through treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and proton beam therapy, which is a more recent form of treatment, amongst others. The reality is, though, that these treatments are only effective when a diagnosis is made early on. The later the cancer is discovered, the lower the chances of survival are.
That means that the presence of modern-day treatments, such as those listed, are pointless when the cancer has spread beyond a certain amount. Hence the need of getting checked out as soon as you discover any abnormality.
What are Doctors Doing?
Doctors and consultants are urgently appealing to patients to get themselves checked out, even in the current climate. Medical practices have been made COVID-secure by allowing for social distancing through reduced appointment times, screening for the need for a physical appointment and making use of PPE where possible for the safety of both the patient and medical practitioner.
One expert that has been highly vocal about the need for anyone who feels they should be examined is Professor Karol Sikora, an ex-director of the World Health Organisation’s cancer programme. Professor Sikora joined Twitter during the pandemic to relay the need to be seen by a doctor should you find any potential sign of cancer, highlighting the drop in diagnosis during the lockdown.
Some of his tweets include:
Tens of thousands of people have missed out on vital cancer treatment during lockdown.
I dread to think how many cancers have gone undiagnosed, that will cost countless lives.
It seriously angers me to be honest – this culture of fear has to be reversed and fast.
— Professor Karol Sikora (@ProfKarolSikora) June 9, 2020
I can honestly say in all of my decades treating cancer I have never been as worried as I am now.
The figures are staggering. Patients have been delayed by 11 weeks – cancer spread is inevitable.
We're moving from one crisis to another. More needs to be done.
— Professor Karol Sikora (@ProfKarolSikora) June 10, 2020
As restrictions continued to be eased and the public become less fearful of venturing outside, we can only hope that we see a surge of cancer diagnosis and that those cases are treatable. The effects of lockdown will, indeed, be visible for a long time to come yet, but the effects of cancer can be profound and alter your life far greater than spending a few months indoors ever can.
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