Cancer signs are being misdiagnosed as coronavirus, prompting specialists to fear that ill individuals aren’t getting the care they need.
The primary symptoms of Covid-19, according to the NHS, include a new persistent cough, loss of taste and smell, and a high fever.
However, studies have shown that, in addition to these symptoms, many patients experience exhaustion and shortness of breath, which may overlap with lung cancer.
Per year, around 48,500 new instances of lung cancer are diagnosed in the United Kingdom, which equates to 130 new cases every day.
It is the third most prevalent cancer in the United Kingdom and the second most frequent cancer among women.
Early detection is critical for any cancer, and the sooner it is identified, the quicker experts can treat the patient.
According to NHS England data, 560 fewer individuals were seen by a specialist after an urgent lung cancer referral in November 2021.
Cancer Research UK discovered in its survey that many GPs were worried about the number of individuals coming forward with suspected lung cancer.
According to the survey findings, 74% of GPs felt this was due to patients not presenting to primary care.
Other doctors said that patients were hesitant to go to the hospital because of the general anxiety around coronavirus.
Dr. Jodie Moffat, director of early diagnostics at Cancer Research UK, said that the epidemic has made it difficult to detect lung cancer patients.
For lung cancer, in particular, it seems to be one of those malignancies where delays of days or weeks do make a difference, as stated by her.
She went on to say that before the epidemic, the diagnosis was quick.
According to the organization, 85 percent of individuals should begin therapy within 72 days after receiving an urgent GP recommendation.
In November, this percentage was merely 59%, one of the lowest on record.
According to Cancer Research UK, this amounted to around 13,700 people experiencing treatment delays.
Cancer Research UK experts have now said that immediate action is required and that those experiencing signs of lung cancer should come forward.
According to the organization, the number of persons seeking cancer treatment has been 10% fewer than projected since the outbreak.
Regarding Smoking
According to Dr. Tim Woodman, Medical Director of Bupa UK Insurance, anybody may acquire lung cancer, and it’s a misconception that only smokers get it.
Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, accounting for almost nine out of every ten instances, but you can still acquire it if you don’t smoke, as stated by Dr. Timm Woodman.
He added the risk of lung cancer is tied to how much you smoke, how long you’ve been smoking, and when you began smoking. It also depends on the sort of cigarettes you smoke.
You are at a greater risk of getting lung cancer if you routinely breathe in other people’s cigarette smoke (passive smoking), thus it’s better to keep the environment around you smoke-free.
He noted that many persons with lung cancer have no symptoms at all at first.
The first symptoms may be minor, such as a cough or feeling a little short of breath. Other warning indicators include fatigue, chest discomfort, and a lack of appetite.
He added that if one’s coughing up blood, have a chronic cough, or are short of breath, he should doctor as soon as possible, mainly he is over 40.
Doris’s passion for writing started to take shape in college where she was editor-in-chief of the college newspaper. Even though she ended up working in IT for more than 7 years, she’s now back to what he always enjoyed doing. With a true passion for technology, Doris mostly covers tech-related topics.