Cancer Research UK conducted a survey with cancer patients from across the UK to understand the impact of COVID-19 on their testing, treatment, and care, as well as their day-to-day lives and wellbeing.

Nearly 2,000 people completed the survey in May 2020 to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer patients. From this survey, the pandemic appeared to have had a significant impact on their testing and treatment, and most notably their care:

  • 2 in 5 cancer patients surveyed reported that their testing had been impacted
  • 1 in 3 cancer patients surveyed reported that their treatment had been impacted
  • 2 in 3 cancer patients reported that their cancer care had been impacted.

This had resulted in a negative impact on the emotional well-being of many cancer patients:

  • ‘Anxious’ and ‘frustrated’ were the most common emotions reported
  • ‘Catching COVID-19’ and ‘becoming seriously ill from COVID-19’ were the biggest concerns
  • Many cancer patients felt that COVID-19 patients were being prioritised over cancer patients.

 

Read the full 2020 Cancer Patient Experience Survey report here

Cancer Research UK launched a second survey in December 2020 looking at the devolved nations and under-represented groups. The results from this survey will be available in the summer.