‘Skin snaps’ and rapid tests for same day diagnosis are among a
package of measures to get more people checked for cancer, the
NHS said today.
The NHS is investing £20 million to speed up the rollout of these
plans, so that thousands more people can get potentially
lifesaving cancer checks.
‘Teledermatology’ is being used to diagnose skin cancer faster,
with pictures taken by a medical photographer sent to hospitals
so diagnosis and treatment can happen quickly.
The technology has already been used in Leeds, York and
Mid-Yorkshire – with a doctor reviewing an image of the patient’s
skin for diagnosis.
New efforts to speed up diagnosis for prostate cancer are also
seeing patients referred directly for an MRI scan by nurses,
rather than having to wait for an appointment with a consultant.
This has reduced multiple visits to a single visit, with all
diagnostic tests carried out on the same day.
The NHS Long Term Plan committed to catching three quarters of
cancers early, when they are easier to treat, up from half at
present.
The funding will help target even more patients and helping
cancer services manage with higher numbers of people referred.
It will also include a boost for nurse-led ‘lumps and bumps
clinics’ that will offer examinations and same day ultrasounds,
and a cancer symptom hotline, which will see nurses give patients
advice about concerning cancer symptoms and make referrals over
the phone.
Referrals and treatment levels for cancer are back to
pre-pandemic levels with latest data showing more than 207,000
people were checked in May – 100,000 more than in the same month
last year.
Over 25,000 started treatment in the same period with the
overwhelming majority starting within a month.
NHS chiefs are encouraging people to come forward for a check
that they may have put off during the pandemic.
Dame Cally Palmer, NHS National Director for Cancer,
said: “The NHS has prioritised cancer treatment
throughout the coronavirus pandemic and, alongside caring for
405,000 people with coronavirus in hospitals and delivering over
65 million vaccines, more than 350,000 people have also started
treatment for cancer since it began.
“We know that some patients did not come forward but, thanks to
the huge efforts of our staff, we're seeing referral and
treatment levels recover.
“From cancer symptom hotlines to skin snaps and rapid triage, NHS
staff are once again going to great lengths to ensure that those
who are coming forward for checks can continue to be seen
quickly, so that cancer can be caught at an earlier stage.”
Professor Peter Johnson, National Clinical Director for
Cancer in England, said: “We know that some people were
reluctant to seek help during the pandemic so it is good news
that we are now seeing higher numbers coming forward for checks.
“Cancer hasn’t gone away during the pandemic and we would rather
see you sooner with a cancer that can be easily treated, than
later with one that may be more difficult.
“Our message remains the same – if you have a worrying symptom,
please do get it checked – the NHS is ready for you.”
Early in the pandemic, the NHS introduced a range of innovative
measures to keep cancer patients safe during the pandemic -
enabling access to 43 ‘COVID friendly’ treatments that reduce the
impact on a patients’ immune system or the number of hospital
visits required, many of which have now been adopted as standard
treatments by NICE.
‘Covid-secure’ surgical hubs were also established so cancer
patients could have their surgery in environments separated from
the risk of COVID infection.
