Wales’ New Cancer Figures Highlight the Impact of the Pandemic
When the coronavirus pandemic struck in 2020, normalcy was disrupted, and the NHS had to divert its attention to deal with the unfolding emergency. Many routine healthcare services were paused, and people became hesitant to visit doctors for fear of contracting the virus and burdening the healthcare system. By 2021, the consequences of these changes became apparent. The number of new cancer cases in Wales rose by 10.2% compared to 2020, with a total of 19,625 cases diagnosed that year, as reported by Public Health Wales.
Despite the resumption of most health care cancer screenings and appointments in 2021, the number of cases identified was still lower than in 2018-2019. This indicates that even with the return to routine healthcare, some cases were going undetected. Two types of cancer, bowel and female breast cancer, showed the most significant improvement in identifying new cases. Screening programmes for these cancers were reintroduced in August 2020, resulting in a 9.4% increase in bowel cancer diagnoses and a 5.5% rise in female breast cancer cases compared to pre-pandemic levels.
However, not all cancer types experienced the same recovery. Lung cancer diagnoses in 2021 remained 3.9% below pre-pandemic levels, while prostate cancer detection encountered a more severe setback, with 20.4% fewer cases identified than in 2018-2019. Public Health Wales explained that cancers like lung cancer are often detected based on symptoms, which could explain the delay compared to cancers included in screening programmes.
Professor Dyfed Wyn Huws, Director of the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit at Public Health Wales, emphasised the importance of early detection in improving patient outcomes. While there has been progress in detecting cancer cases, more efforts are needed to ensure the comprehensive restoration of cancer detection across all types. The increase in identified cases is attributed to screening programmes and awareness campaigns, indicating their effectiveness in identifying diseases earlier.
Despite the positive trend in identifying cancer cases, concerns are growing over cancer waiting times in Wales. Recent data showed that only 55% of diagnosed individuals began treatment within the targeted 62-day timeframe, falling short of the 75% goal. The target is projected to reach 80% by 2026, emphasising the need for improvements in timely access to cancer treatments.
As the recovery from the pandemic continues, the focus remains on enhancing cancer detection and treatment processes to ensure better outcomes for patients. Public Health Wales encourages active participation in screening programmes and prompt medical consultation for any concerns. The diligent efforts in cancer detection exemplify the resilience of the healthcare system in Wales, striving to provide quality care despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.