CanImpact – the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer detection in primary care

The impact of COVID-19 restrictions on cancer diagnosis and management across the UK has raised several issues. From remote methods of consultation leading to important findings being missed to lack of access to routine blood tests, imaging and referral for other diagnostic tests and reports of 2WW referrals dropping (up to 70%), and being triaged (especially if patients not examined), with all non-urgent referrals being suspended.

The effects of the pandemic may have a long-lasting effect upon patient the ways in which patients appraise and act on their symptoms and clinicians assess such symptoms (e.g. using remote consulting), use tests as triage (e.g. to prioritise referral, to make up for lack of physical examination), and make decisions about investigating and referring for possible cancer.

This study uses qualitative approaches to gain a deeper understanding of these effects on patient appraisal and help-seeking for possible symptoms of cancer, and on GP management and diagnostic strategies for their patients with possible symptoms of cancer.

For more information please contact: Steph Archer

Publication

Archer S, Calanzani N, Honey S, Johnson M, Neal R, Scott SE, Walter FM. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer assessment in primary care: a qualitative study of GP views. BJGP Open, 2021. doi: 10.3399/BJGPO.2021.0056