Wellbeing | Why cancer detection & prevention needs to be shifted up the agenda

By Simon Thomas, Director, Generali UK Employee Benefits

You’d be hard stretched to miss the shocking national media headlines over recent weeks, revealing the knock-on effect of Covid-19 on cancer diagnosis: the number of urgent referrals having dropped to around 25% of usual levels in England, according to Cancer Research UK.

So, while employers focus on communicating their wellbeing support services to help people cope mentally and physically with the new normal, it’s worth remembering that existing issues haven’t gone away. Employees might also need reminding that GPs - whether local or a virtual service provided by the employer - can still make urgent referrals to specialists or for any tests for anyone worried they might have cancer.

1 in 2 people will get cancer in their lifetime, and Covid-19 won’t change that. What has changed is that people with symptoms are giving health services a wide berth. Also, some GPs are reluctant to risk sending their patients to the local hospital for fear of Covid-19 infection. Cancer Research UK reports that for every week this goes on, over 2,300 cancer cases are likely to be going undiagnosed across the UK.