'Tumour size of a tennis ball': Warning over cancelled cancer screenings during coronavirus lockdown

Tap above to watch video report by Martin Stew

Delayed cancer screenings could be having a devastating impact during lockdown with one charity estimating more than a million cancelled tests in the last four months.

Among those affected was Destiny Wade whose smear test was cancelled in March. Destiny works as a cancer nurse at Great Ormond Street and went to A&E after recognising the symptoms. Three weeks later she was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Despite living directly above her GP surgery Destiny couldn’t see a doctor in person as they were following government guidelines. However, had the tumour been found earlier things could have been different.

Destiny has Stage 2B cervical cancer and is on a full course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. There wasn’t enough time to freeze her eggs so surgeons moved her ovaries to an area under her ribs.

• Before the pandemic 1.5 million women were overdue a smear test

• In the four months of lockdown 1.1 million new tests should have been carried out

• Charities believe the majority were cancelled. 

Dr Khurum Khan, a Consultant at University College London told Duncan Golestani he was concerned about the impact coronavirus was having on cancer care.