UP to a quarter of some cancers have been missed during the Covid crisis – with nearly 50,000 cases undiagnosed, warn campaigners.
Macmillan Cancer Support stated that the backlog in cancer care is staggering. “still to hit the NHS”.
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The disease has been reported to have been confirmed in 47,600 more Brits than it was pre-pandemic.
The charity warns that detection of prostate cancer is the most difficult.
England’s diagnosis rates are 23% lower than anticipated, while multiple myeloma and breast cancer pick ups are down by 14% and 12%, respectively.
Steven McIntosh is the executive director of advocacy at Macmillan Cancer Support and warns that the NHS faces an uncertain future. “uphill battle”.
He stated, “Nearly 2 years after the pandemic began, there’s still an almost 50,000-strong mountain of people who have not been diagnosed with cancer.
“Cancer patients are trapped, waiting in a systems that doesn’t have enough capacity to treat them quickly enough, let along deal with the backlog for thousands of people who have yet come forward.
“It has never been more crucial to boost NHS capacity to treat and support everybody with cancer, so people receive the critical care they need now and in the years to come.”
According to charity, it is “deeply concerned”Information about how the cancer services will handle patients who are diagnosed.
Already, there are indications that the “missing cases”Are coming forward in great numbers.
Experts believe that the NHS would need to operate at 110% capacity for more than a year in order to handle the backlog.
In February, the number of stage 4 breast cancer cases in women surpassed 148 percent of the pre-pandemic median.
People are being diagnosed with more advanced diseases later in life. This means that they will likely need more intensive care and support. It could also affect their survival chances.
Health bosses think many of the missed cases are due to Brits staying away from their GP during the peak of the pandemic for fear of catching Covid.
An NHS spokesperson said: “Throughout the pandemic cancer has been a priority for the NHS, and diagnosis and treatment numbers have been back at pre-pandemic levels since the spring, with record numbers of people being referred for investigation over the last six months.
“NHS staff have consistently gone above and beyond to support and care for patients, with 95 per cent of people starting treatment for cancer during the pandemic doing so within 31 days.
“It is important to emphasise that the NHS remains open and ready to care for you, so it’s vitally important that people experiencing cancer symptoms come forward and get checked.”
These are the 10 signs you should never ignore
There are hundreds of types of cancer.
While some symptoms are specific, there are a handful that are more general or seen most frequently in cancer patients.
These symptoms do not necessarily indicate that you have the disease.
However, it is always worth contacting your GP immediately.
1. Unexplained weight loss
Here’s the key: “unexplained”Weight loss – A disappearing beer belly seemingly for no reason
A loss of more than 10lbs in a short time could indicate cancer of the stomach, pancreas, stomach or lungs.
2. Unusual swellings, lumps
Any persistent lumps, swellings, or pains in any part of the body should be treated immediately.
This includes lumps in the neck and armpits, stomach, stomach, groin or breast.
Women should be extra vigilant and look for changes in their breasts, while men should check their balls regularly – this shouldn’t stop during the coronavirus pandemic.
3. Cough and cough
A persistent cough is not just a sign of Covid-19 – it could also be a symptom of cancer, especially if it doesn’t disappear after three or four weeks.
If you’re also short of breath and coughing up phlegm with signs of blood, it could be a sign of lung cancer.
4. Mole modifications
We all know moles can be a sign of skin cancer, but lots of us have no clue of the changes to watch out for.
Be on the lookout to see if there are any new moles, or any changes in the shape, size or colour of any existing moles.
They should be examined if they appear to be crusty, bloody, or leaking liquid.
5. There is blood in your poo and pee
Blood in your poo is one of the red-flag warning signs of bowel cancer – the second deadliest cancer in the UK.
You should combine this with changing your toilet habits, such as going to the bathroom more often, having more constipation or any other unusual behavior, to get checked.
It could indicate bladder cancer or kidney cancer if you find blood in your urine.
6. Problems with your pee
Alarm bells should be rung if you notice dribbling or leaking, a need to urinate, or wake up screaming in the morning, and if you feel like you are having trouble urinating.
It could be a sign of prostate cancer in men. Although it rarely causes symptoms, it can cause lower back pain, pain around the pelvis, and pain in the hips, pelvis, or pelvis.
Unexplained or irregular vaginal bleeding should be a concern for women. “spotting”Between periods, after sex, or after menopause.
7. Unexplained pain
This is a warning sign that you should seek medical attention if you experience pain lasting more than four weeks, unexplained or intermittent pain.
Cancer Research states that most cancer pain is caused when the tumour presses on bones, nerves, or other organs of the body.
8. Heartburn
You should seek medical attention if you are experiencing heartburn symptoms that persist or worsen over time.
It could be a sign or stomach cancer.
9. Difficulties in swallowing
You should contact your GP if you feel that food keeps sticking to your teeth, making it painful or uncomfortable to eat.
It is, in particular, the most common symptom for oesophageal and other forms of cancer.
10. Heavy night sweats
Night sweats may be an early sign that you have a variety of cancers.
The most common type of cancer associated with night sweats is lymphoma.
This is a type cancer that forms in your lymphatic system. It’s a network made up of vessels and glands distributed throughout your body.
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