30,000 cancer patients are waiting for treatment in England | Health

Dozens of thousands of patients are still waiting start cancer treatment in England due to disruptions during the pandemic, according to the NHS, as medical charities have been named on in government to address chronic staffing shortages in health service.

After a sharp decline in cancer referrals in 2020, number of people being investigated for disease rebounded back in in past yeardata from NHS England and NHS Improvement show, rising from 2.4 million to record 2.66 million

But while referrals have skyrocketed, the number of patients starting treatment for disease has increased more modestly, from 313,000 before the Covid crisis to 315,000 in in past 12 months, according to the numbers.

“We saw record numbers of people coming forward for checks in in last yearbut we know at least 30,000 left who have not started treatment due to the pandemic so it is vital that we maintain a high rate of referrals,” said Dame Callie Palmer, national cancer director for NHS England.

The National Health Service doubled its spending on cancer awareness campaigns and invested in hotlines for cancer symptoms, mobile clinics and one-stop shops for tests to cope with in rising demand for cancer checks. The aim is to detect the disease at an early stage, when treatment and surgery are often successful.

But while the numbers show that progress is made medical charities have said it is vital for in government solve the problem of chronic staffing shortages and increase the number of of cancer specialists in NHS as it “announces national war on cancer” in your 10 year plan to fight cancer.

Minesh Patel, head of policy at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “This reassuring to see record numbers of people coming forward with cancer symptoms for these life-saving checks. However, people a life with cancer is often absent out on the key concern is result of chronic shortage of NHS staff.

“TO avoid exerting further pressure on hardworking doctors and nurses, vital government includes steps in the upcoming 10-year cancer plan to increase the number of cancer specialists to people a life with cancer patients receive quality and timely care, which they desperately need,” he said.

deputies on health and social care committee last month criticized governments failure to address the shortage of NHS staff, warning that hundreds of thousands of cancer patients in England face late diagnosis of cancer in coming years threatening reduce disease survival rates. 52 page report found that between 2019 and 2028, without further action, 340,000 patients will be unable to diagnose early-stage cancer.

warning followed the house of Commons library analysis in February that found half million people in England with suspected cancer will wait longer than expected two weeks maximum contact an oncologist year.

Ian Walker, Executive Director director of policy from Cancer Research UK, said: “We know that the pandemic had a devastating impact on cancer services and cancer waiting times were missed before the pandemic hit. It is very encouraging to see an increase in the number of people sent for cancer checks.

“But it is vital that efforts of National Health Service staff reinforced in government expected 10-year Cancer plan. Our ambition is to significantly improve early diagnosis of cancer in this country depends on This is.”

Professor Peter Johnson, National Clinical Director for Cancer at NHS England, said GPs have referred patients for cancer checks in record numbers in in past year and worked hard make sure people with worrisome symptoms may refer to a specialist.

“Vital people keep coming forward,” he said. “If you have sign or a symptom that bothers you, such as persistent non-Covid cough or prolonged discomfort in belly please come forward. Examination out can save your life.”