Marie Curie responds to research suggesting coronavirus could cause 35,000 extra UK cancer deaths

Research, reported today by BBC News and iNews, suggests that delays to cancer diagnosis and treatment due to coronavirus could cause thousands of excess deaths in the UK within a year.

Dr Sarah Holmes, Medical Director at Marie Curie said:

“The findings of this study are tragic and deeply worrying. Behind these numbers are people’s family members, friends and work colleagues, people with a story and with a life to live for. As the UK’s largest charitable provider of palliative care, we understand the importance of providing the very best quality of life for those precious moments people have left together, and sadly this study shows that coronavirus will shorten this time for many.

“Many people will seek and receive treatment for their diagnosis, but we must not ignore those who have had treatment withdrawn or have decided it is not the right path for them to take. As a doctor we never want to give up hope for people but at Marie Curie we experience every day, the value good palliative care has for people and their loved ones they leave behind.

“Early access to palliative care can greatly improve quality of life for both patients and their families and also gives people a chance to have honest conversations about treatment options, and what to expect as their condition progresses.”