Even though more Britons have been waiting for treatment in the last few years, a minister of health has stood by its record regarding treating cancer.
Maria Caulfield was the Minister for Patient Safety and Primary Care. She claimed that No10 prioritized cancer patients in the Covid epidemic when she was being questioned by Health and Social Care Committee MPs today.
She said: ‘Since the start of pandemic in March 2020, there have been over 4million urgent referrals for cancer and over 960,000 people have been receiving treatment… a phenomenal achievement considering the scale of the pandemic.’
This referral rate is comparable to those in non-pandemic years. Charities estimate that before Covid, there were approximately 375,000 new cases of cancer per year in the UK.
Ms Caulfield added: ‘We have absolutely prioritised cancer care throughout the pandemic.’
She pointed out that approximately 95% of newly diagnosed patients with this disease start treatment in less than a month. This figure, according to the NHS data, is currently 93%. The health care target stands at 96%.
Official NHS data shows that only 2/3 of patients with cancer who have received an urgent referral by their doctor receive treatment within the first two months. The NHS goal is to achieve 85 per cent.
The NHS has a two-week deadline for women suspected of having breast cancer to get to a specialist. Half the patients are still waiting.
Ms Caulfield also said the NHS was seeing a ‘tsunami’ of potential cancer patients which had been put off seeking treatment by the Covid pandemic, something she acknowledged was putting the system under strain.
Health minister Maria Caulfield defended the Governments record on cancer during the pandemic despite waiting times for diagnoses and treatment hitting worrying levels
Prime minister Boris Johnson pictured here in a visit to Rutherford Diagnostic Centre in Taunton said clearing the Covid care backlog was Britain’s number one issue
NHS England strives to treat 85 percent of cancer patients who get an urgent referral by their GP in two months. But, as of November 2021, 67.5 per cent received treatment within this timeframe. Although the Covid pandemic was long ago, it has only been exacerbated by disruptions in services.
Charities warned that the next generation of cancer victims will die from the consequences of people failing to get treatment in time for the pandemic.
There are currently 50,000 missing cancer patients, according to Macmillan Cancer Support, with an additional 24,000 starting treatment too late.
‘There is almost a tsunami of patients who maybe didn’t come forward at the start, who are now coming through,’ MS Caulfield told MPs.
‘We are seeing a record number of cancer referrals, so about 11,000 cancer referrals per working day coming through the system, which is putting pressure on diagnosis and treatment.’
Boris Johnson had just declared that clearing Covid care’s backlog was his top priority.
The prime minister visited the Rutherford Diagnostic Centre, Taunton. He stated that he was focusing on the top issue facing British citizens, clearing Covid backlogs and looking into new technologies.
Mr Johnson said a lack diagnostics, the specialised staff and equipment that helps detect cancers, was ‘part of the delay’ and said £3.2 billion was being invested in community diagnostic hubs to ‘bring that scan closer to you’.
He said, “We are supporting our incredible doctors and nurses, who have kept us going through the pandemic,”
“But, the waiting list – they’re tired. And they’re stressed. We need to get as many diagnostics performed as possible on these sites. We’re doing that.
“So, the message that I’m trying to convey to you is: If you don’t have a screen or a scan and you aren’t having a scan, it’s because you were delayed by Covid. Now is the right time.”
Tens of thousands of Britons were worried about possible cancer symptoms and discouraged from seeking treatment during the Covid pandemic.
Many were discouraged from seeking treatment by No10 during 2020 or because they were afraid of getting Covid. Some had scans or appointments cancelled.
The national director of cancer for NHS England, Dame Cally, was also interrogated by MPs on the committee. She stated that 34,000 cancer patients had not yet come forward to receive treatment because of the pandemic.
Ms Caulfield’s comments came just a few days after her boss, ] Health Secretary Sajid Javid, revealed he wanted launch a ‘war on cancer.
He said he is working on a ‘new vision’ to improve the ‘persistently poor outcomes’ experienced by people in the UK.
The ’15-year workforce plan programme’ is included in this document, which Ms Caulfield informed MPs that she will reveal’very soon.
In recent months there have been alarming statistics about cancer diagnosis and treatment. These data don’t include the Omicron surge.
NHS England data showed that a record 67.5 percent of patients diagnosed with cancer who received an urgent referral by their doctor started treatment in the first two months of November. This means about one third of those patients had to wait.
Data from the health service also show that 48% of breast-cancer patients waited more than two weeks before being referred by their family physician.
According to the NHS, 93% of women who have received an urgent referral must be seen in two weeks.
There is a gap in the NHS’s targets and waiting times for patients that has caused UK experts, such as Professor Karol Sikora (a consultant oncologist), to warn that time is running out.
Writing for the MailOnline Professor Sikora said: ‘Of all the medical backlogs grievously aggravated by the pandemic, cancer is the most time sensitive and time is running out fast.’
His argument was that the UK should make a concerted effort to defeat cancer, similar to what Covid did.
“The political will exists to address this issue, but we all need the same resolve to act now as we did in our efforts to raise the threat of vaccination booster campaigns.”
“We need another national effort. People’s lives depend on it.’
Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women worldwide. It affects over 2 MILLION people each year.
The most deadly form of cancer in the world is breast cancer. There are over 55,000 cases of breast cancer in Britain each year. The disease also claims 11500 lives every year. It kills approximately 40,000 people each year in the United States, and strikes 266,000. What causes it? And how do you treat it?
What’s breast cancer?
The lining of a breast duct, or lobule develops into cancer. Breast cancer can develop from this cancerous cell.
If breast cancer spreads into the surrounding tissues, it’s called an “invasive” breast cancer. Some individuals are diagnosed with “carcinoma In Situ”, which is a condition in which no cancer cells grow beyond the ducts or lobule.
While most cases occur in women older than 50, some younger patients can be affected. Although breast cancer is uncommon in men, it can occur in women.
Stages indicate how advanced the cancer is, and how likely it is to spread. Stage 1 refers to the initial stage, while stage 4 is when the cancer spreads to other parts of the body.
Low, which indicates slow growth, is the highest grade of cancerous cells. High, however, means fast growth. After treatment, high-grade cancers will be more likely to return.
Breast cancer: What are the causes?
One abnormal cell is what causes a cancerous tumor. It is not known why cancerous cells develop. The cell’s genes are altered or damaged by some kind of substance. The cell becomes abnormal, and can multiply “out of control”.
Breast cancer can occur for any reason. However, genetics and other risk factors can help increase breast cancer’s chances.
How can I tell if my breast cancer is developing?
A painless lump at the breast is the most common symptom. However, breast lumps that aren’t cancerous are usually benign fluid-filled cysts.
Breast cancer spreads first to the lymph nodes located in the armpit. This can lead to a lump or swelling in the armpit.
What is the best way to diagnose breast cancer?
- Initial evaluation: The doctor will examine the breasts, armpits and stomach. A mammogram, which is a special xray of breast tissue that can detect the presence of cancer, may be performed.
- A biopsy: This is when tissue from one part of the body is taken out. To look for any abnormalities, the sample is taken under the microscope. It can be confirmed or ruled out for cancer.
Further tests might be required if breast cancer is confirmed. Blood tests and an ultrasound scan of your liver may be required.
What is the treatment for breast cancer?
You have many options for treatment, such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. It is common to use a mixture of one or more of these therapies.
- Surgery: The removal or preservation of breasts depending on how large the tumor is.
- Radiation therapy: This is a treatment that uses radiation beams with high energy to target cancerous tissues. These radiations kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. This is used primarily in conjunction with surgery.
- The treatment of cancer with anti-cancer drugs that kill and stop the proliferation of cancer cells is called chemotherapy.
- Hormone therapies: Breast cancers that are caused by estrogen can have some effects. Oestrogen stimulates cancer cells’ growth. Breast cancer patients often receive treatments that reduce or stop the effects of hormones.
What is the success rate of treatment?
People who have been diagnosed with cancer early in their lives are more likely to live longer. A good option is to have a tumor removed surgically as soon as possible.
Women between 50-70 years old can have routine mammography to detect breast cancer early.
For more information visit breastcancercare.org.uk, breastcancernow.org or www.cancerhelp.org.uk