NHS Cancer Checks at Record High Across The South East

Record numbers of people are coming forward for cancer tests, with referrals in November being higher than previous years, according to the latest data, the NHS said today. 
The figures show that 38,840 people were checked for cancer in November1 – three times as many compared to the beginning of the pandemic in April 2020, when people were reluctant to come forward.

NHS chiefs are now urging anyone with worrying signs and symptoms not to put off vital checks and to follow the example of the hundreds of thousands of people who are already coming forward each month.

Previous research found that when the covid-19 pandemic hit, half (49%) of people said they would delay coming forward because they didn’t want to burden the health service. 
Monthly figures also show that more than nine in ten people received their first treatment within a month – a standard that has not dipped below 90% throughout the pandemic despite the NHS treating more than half a million covid patients and delivering 114 million vaccinations to date.

Vaughn Lewis, Medical Director at NHS England South East, said:

“We are going further and faster than ever before in our ambitions to catch more cancers at an earlier stage so that we can save more lives.”

“From cancer symptom hotlines to rapid triage, NHS staff across the South East are working hard to ensure that those who are coming forward for checks can be seen quickly, so that cancer can be caught at an earlier stage.”

NHS staff have gone to great lengths to continue cancer treatment for patients and since March last year, more than four million people have been referred and more than half a million people have started treatment.

Common symptoms of cancer include diarrhoea that lasts for three weeks or more, new lumps or bumps and unexplained weight loss or fatigue.

Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England National Clinical Director for Cancer, said:

“When coronavirus first emerged, we saw patient numbers drop dramatically as people stayed away because of fear of the virus, or because they didn’t want to burden the NHS, despite experiencing cancer symptoms – but it’s vital people continue to come forward.”

“The NHS continued cancer care throughout the pandemic and that remains the same. So, if you have a sign or symptom, such as a persistent cough that is not covid, or prolonged discomfort in the abdomen, please come forward - we are open and ready to see and treat you.”

“Coming forward and getting checked out could save your life.”

NHS teams put a range of measures in place, such as COVID protected cancer surgery hubs, and ‘COVID friendly’ treatments that reduce the impact on a patients’ immune system or the number of hospital visits required.

Last year, the NHS announced £20 million investment to speed up cancer diagnosis so that thousands more people can get potentially life-saving cancer checks.

The NHS Long Term Plan committed to catching three quarters of cancers early, when they are easier to treat, up from half at present.

James Chadwick, from Surrey, was 26 when he was diagnosed with lymphoma on Christmas Eve 2020, two days before the country went into lockdown. His first symptom was a lump on his neck and he heard on New Year’s Eve that he would be starting his chemo treatment in January.

James said “Go and get checked out if you’re worried. Don’t ever feel like you’re hassling the doctor. Since I’ve spoken about my cancer battle, I’ve had friends, family, colleagues and even strangers tell me they’ve been checked out after initially putting it off.

Following completion of treatment James has now rung the bell and been declared cancer free and is incredibly grateful to the NHS and in particular, the staff at Teenagers & Young Adults' Cancer ward at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust.