New Delhi: Covid pandemic shook the world and also left behind irreversible damage that most people were unaware of for a very long time. Most of the damage was credited to the vaccine that may or may not have resulted in heart problems in young people. From causing heart attacks among youngsters to triggering comorbidities at an age when chronic conditions were an uncommon occurrence, the pandemic changed a lot of things. But when it comes to potentially fatal health problems such as cancer, Covid was earlier considered largely innocent. But a study now claims that a million cases of cancer may have been dismissed globally due to Covid lockdowns.
How did the Covid pandemic affect cancer diagnosis rates?
According to scientists, the diagnosis rates for cancer have dropped by 23% and treatment rates have dipped by 28% in the first year of the pandemic. The number of screening tests also dipped, as per the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Overall, the impact was worse in 2020 when the pandemic kicked off. However, this along with the restrictions and quarantine. Experts also reviewed 246 studies from 46 countries on behalf of the WHO. But talking about how the same must have contributed to a dip in cancer diagnosis, doctors say that it can be largely blamed upon fear of contracting Covid, a fast-spreading infection that could be mild to severe with flu-like symptoms.
The NHS also found that the number of cancer diagnoses dropped from 3.27 lakhs to 2.88 lakhs from 2019 to 2020. Most of the cases were missed due to irregularity in making medical appointments. Many patients also struggled because they were unwilling to seek support. One of the worst-hit nations in this was the UK.
What are the most common symptoms of cancer?
Cancer symptoms are largely influenced by the part of the body where the tumour forms. The symptoms of cancer are:
Unexplained lumps or swelling in a part of the body
Unexplained pain
Weight fluctuations
Difficulty breathing
Changes in the colour of the skin
Sores that do not heal
Extreme fatigue that does not get better despite rest
Difficulty swallowing
Vision changes
Hearing inability
Nausea
Weakness in the limbs
Abnormal sweating
The NHS also found that the number of cancer diagnoses dropped from 3.27 lakhs to 2.88 lakhs from 2019 to 2020. Most of the cases were missed due to irregularity in making medical appointments. Many patients also struggled because they were unwilling to seek support. One of the worst-hit nations in this was the UK. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
