Cancer patient urges others to seek help early as NHS launches new campaign

ITV News Correspondent Graham Stothard reports on the NHS campaign encouraging anyone with potential signs of cancer to visit their GP

Thousands of people with cancer symptoms could be risking their lives by not seeking medical treatment, the new the head of NHS England has warned.

It comes amid concerns many are delaying help as they do not want to strain the service.

Andy Thomson was among those who put off going to the GP surgery during the first lockdown, convincing himself the symptoms would go away.

He eventually contacted his doctor in November and was diagnosed with stage 2 bowel cancer the following month.

But Mr Thomson's surgeon had high hopes for his recovery as the diagnosis was early - and was proved right when his patient got the all clear.

NHS England boss Amanda Pritchard is encouraging anyone with potential signs of cancer- such as a persistent cough or prolonged stomach pain- to visit their GP and have a checkup, which ultimately could prove life-saving if it detects the disease early.

Research has found that three in five people (60%) don't want to bother the NHS, with half (49%) saying they would delay seeking medical advice compared to before the pandemic.

In March 2020, reports surfaced of cancer patients being left in “limbo” as surgery and treatment was cut back to help hospitals cope with the surge in coronavirus patients.

More than 27,000 people started treatment for cancer in June, a 42% increase on the same time last year, signalling that treatment numbers have returned to usual levels since March.

However, there remains concerns that many people are still not coming forward as they do not want to burden the health service, with others simply unaware of common cancer symptoms.

“We are open and ready to treat people with potential cancer symptoms,"said Ms Pritchard, who replaced Simon Stevens as the chief executive of NHS England in early August.

"We know that thousands of people could be risking their lives by delaying medical attention for cancer symptoms."

"It’s incredibly important that people recognise the common symptoms that can signal a cancer diagnosis – and it’s vital that they take action by making an appointment with their GP, that could ultimately save their life,” she added.Ms Pritchard made the plea ahead of the launch of a NHS England and Public Health England campaign on Monday intended to help doctors diagnose the disease sooner.

The 'Help us Help you' campaign will see messaging flood TV, posters and social media to raise awareness of cancer symptoms in the abdominal area, urological cancers, and lung cancer.

Despite abdominal and urological cancers making up nearly half (44%) of all cancer diagnoses, almost two thirds (63%) of people said they did not recognise discomfort in the abdominal area for three weeks or more as an indication of cancer, NHS England said.

Research also found two in five people do not recognise that a persistent cough for more than three weeks can be a sign of possible lung cancer.

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