Cancer patients in London are living through the ‘worst possible Groundhog Day’, according to a leading charity, which is urging people to turn to them for support as the pandemic continues.

Macmillan Cancer Support is issuing the message as its research reveals the continuing toll of the ongoing coronavirus crisis on people with cancer, with many facing anxiety, disruption to care, and the disconcerting experience of going through diagnosis and treatment alone.

This is highlighted by new figures from the charity that show cancer patients in London are currently just as worried about how delays to their treatment will impact on their chances of survival as they were following the first peak.

In the run-up to the current surge in Covid-19 cases, around one in five people with cancer in London (19%) – representing around 40,000 people across the capital and around 1,500 in Wandsworth alone – were worried that disruption caused by the coronavirus could be reducing the likelihood of their treatment being successful or, at worst, risk shortening their lives[iii]. This is at least the same as the level of concern people had back in June.

The research also shows around one in four (24%) people with cancer in London are feeling depressed because of Covid-19, and a similar number (26%) even feel they will not be able to return to normal activities until there are no new cases of the virus being reported.

Macmillan estimates that around a quarter of a million people with cancer in the UK will be having to shield in the latest wave of the virus, with some having done so since the pandemic began[v]. Meanwhile, at least 150,000 people have been newly diagnosed with cancer in the UK since March, with many having to hear this devastating news for the first time with no one by their side, due to Covid-19 restrictions. Recent analysis by the charity also suggests tens of thousands of people across the UK are missing a cancer diagnosis they would otherwise have received, because of the impact of the pandemic.

The charity wants to ensure everyone affected by cancer is making use of its round-the-clock support in this crisis and is urging patients and their loved ones to contact its phoneline, where specially trained cancer nurses and counsellors are there for anyone affected by or worried about cancer, every day of the week. They can provide comprehensive information and advice about their care and treatment options, as well as financial and emotional support, to help people with cancer cope with the additional strain of the coronavirus pandemic.

The charity’s concerns are also mirrored by figures showing its specialist cancer nurses took at least 31% more calls over the Christmas period from people in London as they did in 2019[viii]. Hits to its online Covid-19 information hub also hit a six-month high (more than 5,000 views) on the day the latest lockdown was announced for England, and have since soared to the highest level seen since the start of the pandemic.
Pippa Jones (46), from Wandsworth, who was diagnosed with a sinonasal carcinoma in November 2018, and whose mother has been diagnosed with lung cancer during the pandemic, said:

“I am incredibly fortunate to be 18 months free of cancer, but through recovery the topic remains close to home, especially as mid-pandemic, my Mum has sadly been diagnosed with lung cancer. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who are in active treatment, the early stages of diagnosis and to those who urgently require diagnostics. With health services overwhelmed, the impact of Covid touches us all, but especially the vulnerable and immune suppressed. The need for mental and physical support and the comfort, assistance and company of family and friends through such a challenging time is not to be underestimated.

“Macmillan is like a safe space. Their Support Line is staffed by people who understand all aspects of cancer. They helped me so much on my journey, with complementary therapy advice and support, financial expertise, the helpline and reams of insightful literature.”