Cancer webinar: key themes and Q&A

Healthwatch Brighton and Hove, together with Healthwatch East Sussex and Healthwatch West Sussex, organised a cancer webinar in June 2020 to address concerns about cancer services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 100 people registered, including cancer patients, carers, members of the public and healthcare professionals. The event brought together cancer specialists, a GP cancer lead and representatives from Macmillan to explain how cancer services were operating during the pandemic and answer questions from patients. 

A key message was that cancer services remained open and patients should continue to contact their GP if they had symptoms or concerns. Clinicians emphasised that referrals, investigations and treatments were continuing, although some services such as screening programmes, endoscopy and colonoscopy had experienced delays. Patients were reassured that they had not been “lost in the system” and that hospitals were actively reviewing waiting lists and prioritising patients. Clean pathways, COVID-safe facilities and independent-sector hospitals were being used to continue treatment and reduce risk. 

The webinar also discussed the impact of COVID-19 on cancer care. Referrals for suspected cancer had fallen significantly because many people were reluctant to seek help, creating concern about undiagnosed cancers and future demand. Clinicians explained that evidence emerging during 2020 suggested the risks of COVID-19 for cancer patients receiving treatment were lower than originally feared, which supported the gradual relaxation of shielding advice. They also highlighted that telephone and video consultations had expanded rapidly and were likely to remain a permanent part of future cancer services alongside face-to-face appointments.

A further theme was the availability of support services. Macmillan and other organisations had moved many services online or to telephone support, including welfare advice, counselling, peer support groups and practical assistance. Participants were encouraged to continue seeking help and support, while healthcare leaders stressed that the NHS was planning for increased demand as services recovered from the pandemic and more patients came forward for diagnosis and treatment.