Mansfield hospital trust urges cancer patients to seek treatment despite Covid 19

Referrals for breast cancer and other cancer services are still being encouraged for people living in the Mansfield area despite the pandemic, say hospital officials.

The reassurance comes on the eve of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, held during October,

This week a major breast cancer charity hit the headlines saying it estimated that nationwide, around one million women had missed out on breast cancer screening services.

Breast Cancer Now said it “estimates that around 986,000 women missed their mammograms due to breast screening programmes being paused in March 2020, in a bid to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading and to free up emergency resource for the NHS.”

The charity also reported on its website and social media that it anticipated that “around 8,600 of the women caught up in this backlog could have been living with undetected breast cancer.”

However, in the Mansfield area, Lead Cancer Nurse, at Sherwood Forest Hospitals, Penny Tindall said they were “continuing to encourage patients to see their GP and get a referral for cancer services as soon as they have any concerns, symptoms or worries about their health.”

She said: “Throughout the pandemic the Trust has continued to encourage and accept referrals into our breast services and to treat detected cancers in a safe and secure environment.

“We have a dedicated Cancer Helpline based within our Macmillan Cancer information and support Hub at King’s Mill Hospital which we encourage people to contact on 01623 622515 ext 6499 for any help or advice about cancer and cancer care.

“We know it is a worrying time for our patients, but we would like to reassure them that we have appointments available and we are taking all Covid-19 precautions to keep our patient safe. Please do not put off coming into hospital or going to see your specialist if you have any concerns.”

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was formed in 2001 and runs King's Mill Hospital, Newark Hospital and Mansfield Community Hospital.

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