The HSE is warning of a significant drop in people being referred for cancer screening during the COVID-19 crisis.

Officials are urging anyone with concerns about their health to contact their GP.

A range of measures have been taken to ensure hospitals are safe for patients and early diagnosis of cancer is essential to beat the disease.

Dr Una Kennedy from the National Cancer Control Programme said doctors are standing ready to help anyone with worries about their health.

“We are concerned that there are people out there with symptoms who, for various reasons, are just not presenting to their GPs,” she said.

“What we are trying to say to them is that if you have symptoms and if you are worried, in the first instance, call us.

“Now, for most people, they won’t have cancer obviously and we will be able to put their mind at ease but if somebody does have symptoms that are concerning and need to be investigated further, we can organise that for you.”

Diagnosis

HSE figures show that the average number of patients with suspected breast, lung, prostate and skin cancer being referred for cancer diagnosis has dropped by half since the outbreak began.

Referrals for breast cancer diagnosis are down 54.6% in the past four weeks, with lung cancer diagnosis referrals down 60.7%, prostate diagnosis referrals down 50.3% and diagnosis referrals for pigmented lesions down 72.3%.

HSE Cancer Screening figures. Image: HSE

The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) said the drop suggests people are ignoring symptoms and delaying seeking medical advice.

Dr Kennedy said there are a range of symptoms to look out for.

“You should be aware of things like a new or changing lump, abnormal bleeding, changes on your skin, unexpected weight-loss or feeling constantly tired,” she said.

“Now, that is not the end of the list of symptoms. The bottom line is that if you are worried about your health and notice a change in you that is just not normal for you, contact your GP.”

Image: Beaumont Hospital

The NCCP said people should not be concerned about contacting their doctor, noting that hospital services have been reorganised with precautionary measures taken to protect patients from COVID-19.

Meanwhile, staff have been trained and equipped to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Dr Kennedy said the number of patients contacting her practice has “declined markedly” with many of her colleagues noticing a similar trend.

“The last thing we, as GPs, want is to see our patients’ diagnosis being delayed,” she said.

“People shouldn’t be afraid to contact their GP because of COVID-19. If you have cancer, the sooner it’s detected, the better chance you have of a successful outcome.”

The NCCP said the country’s clinics are open and seeing patients. Many problems can be resolved over the phone or through video-calls.

Meanwhile, surgeries remain open for patients that require a face-to-face appointment.

Fianna Fail spokesperson on health Stephen Donnelly, 20-11-2018. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

Fianna Fáil health spokesperson Stephen Donnelly said the need to prevent surges in non-COVID-19 cases will be just as important as containing the virus in the coming months.

"A recent study in the UK estimates that cancer fatalities in England could rise by 20% in the next 12 months,” he said.

“GP referral rates have fallen even further in the UK than in Ireland; however, if Ireland did experience a 20% increase in cancer-related deaths, it would mean the loss of approximately 1,800 lives.

“This is significantly more than the total deaths to date from COVID-19.”

He said some screening programmes have been paused due to the pandemic and urged the HSE to publish a detailed plan for opening them all up as soon as possible.