According to a new study conducted by the University of Surrey and the University of Oxford, nearly 20,000 cases of prostate cancer may have gone undiagnosed in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, which analyzed 24 million patient records since 2020, highlights the devastating impact of the pandemic on the detection and treatment of major diseases.

The study reveals that the diagnosis of prostate cancer was significantly affected by the "unprecedented disruption" caused by the pandemic. Factors such as a drop in urgent referrals from general practitioners, longer waiting times, and difficulties accessing care resulted in a 31% decrease in prostate cancer diagnoses in 2020. This equates to 4,722 fewer diagnoses than expected. The following year saw an 18% drop, with 3,148 fewer diagnoses than normal.

The detrimental effects on diagnosis rates accumulated over the two-year period, with a total of 7,940 fewer diagnoses than expected. Extrapolating these figures across the country suggests that approximately 19,800 cases of prostate cancer have been missed during the pandemic. These estimates surpass previous projections of 14,000 missed diagnoses.

Alarmingly, separate research conducted by Prostate Cancer UK reveals that death rates among men with prostate cancer tripled during the first year of the pandemic. The study also found that men diagnosed with the disease in 2021 were, on average, approximately six months older than those diagnosed before the pandemic. This suggests a crucial delay in diagnosis and treatment, potentially leading to more advanced disease stages.

Early detection is crucial for improving the outcomes and long-term survival rates of prostate cancer. When caught in the first two stages, survival rates are close to 100%. However, they drop to around 50% for those treated at stage four. The pandemic's disruption in healthcare services and reduced access to cancer care have compromised timely diagnoses.

The study also highlights peaks in prostate cancer-related mortality during the two most stringent lockdowns. The mortality rate increased from 5.5 to 8.5 per 100,000 in April 2020, with a second peak of 7.5 per 100,000 in January 2021.

Prof Pat Price, a leading oncologist and chairman of the charity Radiotherapy UK, expressed concern over the findings, emphasizing the urgent need for a dedicated cancer plan to address the growing backlog and prevent further delays in cancer treatment. The study calls for learning from the pandemic's impact on healthcare services and diagnosis rates to prevent similar setbacks in the future.

The UK's cancellation of cancer treatments during the pandemic was the highest in Western Europe, and the country experienced a significant decline in cancer operations. In 2020, the number of prostate cancer operations fell by over 40%, compared to an average of 16.6% across OECD nations.

While the NHS has been working diligently to encourage individuals to seek cancer checks, the consequences of delayed diagnoses and treatment during the pandemic are still evident. The Department of Health and Social Care has committed to improving outcomes for prostate cancer, including a £42 million screening trial to expedite its detection.

It is crucial for individuals to be vigilant and seek medical attention if they are experiencing any unusual symptoms. Early detection plays a pivotal role in saving lives, and despite the challenges faced during the pandemic, the NHS continues to see and treat record numbers of cancer patients.

As the UK looks towards the future, a comprehensive strategy focusing on major health conditions, including cancer, is essential to address the backlogs, reduce treatment waits, and ensure the timely diagnosis and treatment of diseases.