Building back cancer services in England (Institute for Public Policy Research, 24 September 2021)

Summary

The pandemic has severely disrupted cancer services in England with major consequences for survival rates for lung, breast and colorectal cancer. This paper from the Institute for Public Policy Research examines the impact of the pandemic on cancer pathways, highlighting widespread disruption across screening, referrals, diagnostic and treatment services.

The authors also highlight that the 'missing patient' backlog is difficult to predict and that there is a lack of qualified staff to increase capacity and aid service recovery.