2,000 cancer diagnoses missed this year, experts fear
PUBLIC health chiefs fear that up to 2,000 cancer diagnoses have been missed this year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The figures to date show that about 90% of cases have been diagnosed this year compared to 2019.
Professor Risteárd Ó Laoide, National Director of the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), said the issue is ‘a significant concern’ and its impact may not be known for years.
The figure of 2,000 missed cases is based on an analysis of a subset of data for breast, l ung and prostate cancers detected through its rapid access clinics.
Prof Ó Laoide said that looking at the data from urgent breast cancer clinics and the rapid access clinics for lung and prostate cancer, there are 371 fewer cancers diagnosed this year compared to last year.
The clinic typically finds 21% of cancer cases in Ireland each year.
Prof Ó Laoide said: ‘The figures to date show that we have diagnosed about 90% of cancers compared to last year.
‘This is for these three cancers – breast, lung and prostate, who have been referred through these clinics in this manner.
‘So, in fact, for breast it’s at 100% of last year’s figure, for lung it’s at 96%, and for prostate is at 65%.
‘If we look at our numbers, there are 371 cases of lost cancers that we haven’t diagnosed this year compared to last year.’
He added: ‘It’s difficult to extrapolate this to the larger number of cancer patients in Ireland. Potentially, it could be up to 2,000 cases of missed cancer, which will presumably appear later in the year.’
In a statement yesterday, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) urged anyone with a concern about their health to contact their GP without delay.
‘When it comes to having the best chance of a good outcome, detecting cancer early is vital,’ said the ICS.
Meanwhile, HSE chief executive Paul Reid has urged the public to take every precaution as we emerge from lockdown in the coming weeks. He advised ‘reducing contacts to the minimum’, adding that as long as the virus is circulating in the community, the health system is at risk.