NHS Cancer Care At Home – At the end of March NHS England & NHS Improvement issued the following statement:
‘Covid-Friendly’ Cancer Care At Home Extended For More Patients
Thousands of people with cancer can benefit from ‘Covid friendly’ treatments from home, the NHS announced 2 weeks ago: 31st March 2021.
More than 30 different drugs are available to treat patients, offering benefits such as fewer hospital visits or a reduced impact on their immune system.
Around 8,000 people have already benefitted from the treatment ‘swaps’ since April 2020 helping to maintain cancer treatment in the face of coronavirus with more than 250,000 people starting treatment for cancer since the start of the pandemic.
The NHS is funding effective and less risky treatment ‘swaps’ for patients during the pandemic, and patient access to these drugs will now be extended until the summer, with the potential to extend until the end of March next year (2022).
Targeted hormone therapies such as enzalutamide for prostate cancer and broadened use of lenalidomide in the treatment of myeloma – bone marrow cancer – are among the options available for clinicians to choose from. For ovarian cancer, some patients can receive trametinib as a tablet alternative to chemotherapy and so reduce the impact on their immune systems.
The NHS Long Term Plan committed to using cutting edge treatment and technology to save and improve patients’ lives. The Covid-friendly cancer treatments are among a string of NHS innovations that have helped patients to access treatment safely throughput the pandemic.
The NHS also made up to 10,000 chemo deliveries to patients’ doorsteps during the first wave of the virus, introduced Covid-secure surgery hubs and fast tracked stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) which requires five doses rather than up to 30 with standard radiotherapy, cutting the number of hospital visits that potentially vulnerable cancer patients need to make.
Alongside their measures, NHS England has introduced new ways of testing patients for cancer including by piloting mini cameras that patients can swallow to test for bowel cancer.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS clinical director:
Cancer has been a priority throughout the pandemic which is why NHS staff have fast-tracked patient access to more convenient and kinder treatments to provide as many people as possible with safe and effective care, even as the NHS cared for more than 380 000 people seriously ill with Covid.
Extending the use of ‘Covid friendly’ treatments for cancer is another example of how we are embracing the full range of treatment options and bringing the NHS to patients at home in many cases.
He added
If you have a worrying symptom, please do come forward and get checked – the NHS is ready and here to treat you. Cancer is easier to treat when it’s caught at an earlier stage and coming forward for a check could save your life.
Recent analysis showed that when NHS England introduced the new cancer therapies, it boosted the number of people having cancer treatments during the pandemic, when treatment might otherwise have been delayed or not safe to give at all.
Treatment options also include:
The NHS put in place a £160m initiative last year so that people with cancer could benefit from alternative, more covid friendly treatments.
NHS #HelpUsToHelpYou
Neuroendocrine Cancer UK
Those with Neuroendocrine Cancer may already be aware of / receiving somatostatin analogues – Lanreotide (Somatuline Autogel) or Octreotide (Sandostatin LAR or Olutaton).
Others may have been considered for or started Everolimus (Afinitor) or Sunitinib (Sutent) as standard treatment or as an alternative to chemotherapy and service reorganisation has also allowed many to start or continue PRRT with Lutetium.
There are still steps to be taken on resuming all services – including diagnostics and therapies for all cancers including Neuroendocrine – and it is hoped that some of the positive changes made during the pandemic can be maintained alongside this. Getting surgery back on track a key priority.
Vitally, as Professor Johnson has said, engagement with and access to essential services including cancer diagnostics and care is resuming – please contact your GP if you have a health concern and keep in touch with your healthcare team if you already have your diagnosis (and hopefully a plan of care) – your health matters.
If you have a health concern related to your Neuroendocrine Cancer – we recommend contacting your specialist NET team / nurse specialist in the first instance – if uncertain or just want to talk things through then you can visit our website, join our online community or a Natter group . . . or contact us – we’re here to help.
Information about the Neuroendocrine Cancer treatments mentioned above is available here.
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