{"id":42960,"date":"2021-02-04T16:29:34","date_gmt":"2021-02-04T15:29:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unric.org\/en\/?p=42960"},"modified":"2021-02-11T16:32:30","modified_gmt":"2021-02-11T15:32:30","slug":"covid-19-halts-early-diagnosis-for-cancer-patients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unric.org\/en\/covid-19-halts-early-diagnosis-for-cancer-patients\/","title":{"rendered":"Covid-19 halts early diagnosis for cancer patients"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Covid-19 pandemic has turned the care of cancer patients upside down. Screenings, operations and non-essential examinations have been delayed, with serious consequences for many in the years to come, particularly in the early treatment of the disease.<\/p>\n

On World Cancer Day this February 4, Dr Hans Kluge, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe\u00a0underlined the \u201cmultiple threats\u201d<\/a>\u00a0posed by Covid-19. \u201cWe cannot afford to ignore (\u2026) an epidemic of cancer,\u201d he warned.\u00a0Cancer, one of the leading causes of death in Europe, kills close to 2.2 million people in the region in a normal year.<\/p>\n

Screening of patients under jeopardy<\/strong><\/p>\n

One in three countries in the European Region had partially or completely disrupted cancer services at the start of the pandemic, WHO found. The\u00a0European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO)<\/a>\u00a0indicated that 60% of radiation-oncology departments witnessed a drop in patients during the first lockdown.<\/p>\n

In the United Kingdom, the number of people referred to \u2018fast-track\u2019 cancer diagnosis investigations fell by more than 350,000, according to\u00a0NHS Data<\/a>. This was due to a drop in people seeking advice on primary care between March and September 2020. In France, the\u00a0League Against Cancer<\/a>\u00a0estimated around 30,000 cancers have gone undetected in the country due to disruption linked to the pandemic in 2020.<\/p>\n

In Belgium and the Netherlands, a similar picture unfolds, with 44% and 20-25% fewer cancer diagnoses respectively during the first lockdown compared to the same period in 2019. Catch-up efforts in both countries over the summer led to an increase in the number of diagnoses by autumn, with the Netherlands even witnessing a spike in detections. But in Belgium, the country\u2019s\u00a0Cancer Registry estimated<\/a>\u00a0a total of 5,000 people were not diagnosed since the start of March 2020. The impact of the second wave has not yet been taken into account.<\/p>\n

Multitude of risks<\/strong><\/p>\n

For Dr Liesbet Van Eycken, Director of the Belgian Cancer Registry, the reasons behind these worrying figures are clear.<\/p>\n

\u201cNon-essential consultations, examinations and operations were temporarily suspended or reduced to a minimum,\u201d she explains. \u201cThis was also the case with population screening for breast, colorectal and cervical cancer.\u201d By the end of April, 60% fewer people had been diagnosed with cancer compared to 2019. \u201cIn other words, several thousands of cancers were not diagnosed,\u201d Dr Van Eycken told UNRIC, adding that people with cancer symptoms were reluctant to go to hospital out of fear of catching Covid-19.<\/p>\n

Medical professionals face numerous issues when treating cancer patients during the pandemic, according to ESTRO. Immunosuppressed patients are at a greater risk of catching the virus, and if a patient catches Covid-19, treatment must be paused. Many cancer specialists also had to lend their support to hospital departments overwhelmed by Covid-19 patients, further increasing delays.<\/p>\n

Action against cancer<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the fight against cancer, European coordination is key. WHO Europe has launched a pan-European cancer initiative called \u2018United Action Against Cancer\u2019<\/a>, calling for action at many levels \u2013 from the grassroots to governments \u2013 to contribute actively to eliminating the threat of cancer.<\/p>\n

To fight the disease, making conscious decisions is key, says Dr Van Eycken. This includes choosing a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, practicing sport, and taking part in screening campaigns. \u201cAccess to healthcare, which is fast, safe, people-oriented and qualitative\u201d is also essential, she adds.<\/p>\n

As vaccination campaigns roll out across Europe, Dr Van Eycken tries to assuage potential fears. “Cancer patients are not forgotten in the vaccination strategy. On the contrary, they are even pushed forward. Hang in there, it is coming. Make sure you are well informed and choose the vaccine”.<\/p>\n

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