Ongoing Impact of Covid-19 on Cancer Diagnosis
The impact of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic was immediately evident with the NHS facing unprecedented demand helping those suffering from coronavirus. Recent research has now highlighted the long-term impact of the pandemic on non-Covid illnesses, particularly cancer.
Diagnosis
Following the first wave of the pandemic, cancer screening was suspended. A study by the European Journal of Cancer has shown that up to 3 million people did not receive their screening invitations and fewer patients were referred with suspected cancers. Additionally, 3.2 million fewer investigations were performed due to cancellation or deferral.
- Bowel Screening
An article in the Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology identified that the number of people waiting over 6 weeks for an endoscopy in August 2020 was nine times higher than in August 2019. There was also a 90% drop in the number of colonoscopies performed in April 2020. Both of these are important investigations for diagnosing cancer. - Breast Cancer Investigations
An article in the British Journal of Cancer revealed that by June 2020, the numbers of patients referred for urgent breast cancer assessment was 15% less than compared with June 2019, while the number of non-urgent breast cancer referrals remained over 40% lower compared to the same month in 2019. - Lung Cancer Referrals
In England, between March and August 2020, there were 14,000 fewer referrals for suspected lung cancer according to Cancer Research UK. The article emphasises that at the end of August 2020, the number of people sent for urgent lung cancer review and tests in England was still at only around 60% of pre lockdown figures.
The research therefore indicates that there will be a number of patients who have experienced delays in diagnosis of cancer.
Treatment
In addition to the delays in diagnosis research by the British Journal of Cancer has identified delays in patients starting treatment. In the first half of 2020 the total number of patients receiving their first treatment for breast cancer was 16% lower than the first half of 2019. An article in the Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology identified that 31,000 fewer patients started treatment for cancer across the UK between April and August 2020 compared with the same period in the previous year.
Impact of delayed diagnosis and treatment
The British Journal of Cancer suggests that decreases in the number of referrals and investigations suggests an eventual later diagnosis. It is known that early diagnosis of cancer followed by timely treatment will usually lead to a more favourable outcome for the patient. It can therefore be assumed that these delays will have an impact of cancer survival rates.
It is too early to know the full impact but research highlighted in the British Journal of Cancer estimates an additional 3300 deaths. This is likely to be a conservative estimate as the research is limited to breast, colorectal, lung and oesophageal cancers.
The same article also highlighted that prior to the pandemic, the highest relative survival estimates were in patients diagnosed through a screening programme. These of course were suspended during the pandemic.
How could we help?
The NHS was acting under the guidance of the government when suspending screening and deferring treatment during the pandemic. Therefore, these delays are unlikely to be considered negligent. However, the data indicates that even when restrictions were eased the number of patients being referred and treated for cancer were still lower than they had been previously. If there have been failings to make referrals in line with guidance then you may have a claim for delayed cancer diagnosis.
Making a claim for your delayed cancer diagnosis could help you to receive compensation for your additional pain and suffering, additional care needs, and the financial losses you have suffered.
Morrish Solicitors has a specialist team of medical negligence solicitors dedicated to acting for victims of medical negligence. Our experienced medical negligence solicitors can give you the help, support and legal advice that you need.
You can contact our expert team on 033 3344 9613 or email [email protected].
For more information on the impact of Covid-19 on delayed cancer diagnosis head to these articles:
Routes to diagnosis for cancer | British Journal of Cancer
Consequences of COVID-19 for cancer care | Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology
Avoidable cancer deaths…during the pandemic | European Journal of Cancer
Early cancer diagnosis | British Journal of Cancer
Mortality due to cancer treatment delay | The British Medical Journal
The COVID-19 pandemic impact on breast cancer diagnoses | British Journal of Cancer
Author: Ruth Grant, Legal Assistant, Clinical Negligence
