The coronavirus pandemic has led to a “significant drop” in the number of people in the Harrogate district going to their GP with cancer symptoms.

The situation was “extremely worrying” said the district’s health professionals who urged the public to always see a doctor about any symptoms that may be cancer.

All patients with suspected cancer are referred by their doctors for an urgent appointment at Harrogate District Hospital, which can either rule out  the disease or pick it up early and allow for urgent investigations and treatment.

The hospital said it would normally expect to see 190-200 such urgent cancer referrals a week but during the past couple of months that had dropped to as low as 60 patients per week.

The numbers of patients being referred for appointments has started to rise again, but the concern is that not everyone is getting in touch with their GP.

Dr Charles Parker, NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group’s Clinical Chair, said:

“Finding cancer early offers the best chance to cure it. Ignoring potential problems can have serious consequences for people, something that nobody wants. Please, if you’re concerned, make an appointment with your GP. We are doing all we can to care for patients safely.”

People who are referred into Harrogate District Hospital for investigation or treatment, or who are already on a course of treatment, can expect the same quality of care; the way that care is delivered however may have changed in response to the pandemic.”

Noreen Hawkshaw, Macmillian Lead Nurse for Cancer and Matron for the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre at the hospital, said:

“Here in Harrogate district, the NHS is continuing to work hard to manage the coronavirus pandemic, but we’re also working hard to ensure patients can safely access essential services such as cancer investigation and treatments if needed.

“The NHS has had to change significantly to manage the impact of the pandemic but we want to reassure patients who are referred to Harrogate District Hospital for investigation that we are still providing the same high quality of care, just in a different way, ensuring all the appropriate measures in line with Government guidance are in place to keep you safe when accessing our services.”

A man from Pateley Bridge who has suffered for seven years with kidney cancer survived coronavirus in time to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe day.

Roger Jefferson, 64, a retired police constable in the town, tested positive for covid-19 in April after coming down with a persistent cough and a tight chest.

In 2013, Mr Jefferson was diagnosed with cancer after a tumour was found on his left kidney and later in his lungs.

Since February, he’s been on two sets of medicines, Ipilumab and Nivolumab, aiming to reduce the cancer.

Roger Jefferson pictured with his wife, Hilary, outside their home in Pateley Bridge on VE Day.

But it was in early April after being furloughed from his part-time job when he started to shake, cough, feel constantly tired and had no taste or smell.

“It took me three stops to get up the stairs,” said Mr Jefferson. “I felt absolutely dreadful and had a cough that you would not believe.”

At first, Mr Jefferson thought it was the cancer treatment. But he later tested positive for coronavirus in Leeds and was told to recover at home. He said:

“One of the main things is that you can’t lie down, because you cough. I spent three weeks in a chair sleeping. It was horrendous.”

Meanwhile, Mr Jefferson lost 18 pounds in 10 days while suffering with the virus.

“I was not eating and not wanting to eat,” he said. “It was very debilitating.”

After six weeks of recovery, Mr Jefferson was given the all clear last week from COVID-19. Despite still having a mild cough and a husky voice, he feels he is one of the lucky ones.

When asked if he was scared when he was tested positive, Mr Jefferson said there was no fear:

“When you’re a cancer patient, the fear goes. There’s an acceptance of the inevitable but a determination to carry on.”

Now, he’s trying to get his strength back and walked five miles as part of his recovery on Friday morning. After lockdown, he’s looking forward to being able to get out in his Autograss car and start racing again.

“It’s frustrating,” said Mr Jefferson. “I just want to play with my toys.”

Organisers of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in Harrogate have said that the event will now go ahead in October after coronavirus forced them to cancel in July.

It means that the Race for Life 5K, 10k, Pretty Muddy, Pretty Muddy Kids on The Stray will no longer take place on Sunday 12 July.

The Race for Life event has now been rescheduled for Sunday 11 October.

Participants who had already signed up for the Race for Life event in July can transfer their entry to the new October date and will be contacted directly by the charity. If a participant is unable to make the new date they can request a refund or donate the entry fee.

Lisa Millett, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for North Yorkshire, said:

“While our priority is ensuring that people affected by cancer get the support and information they need during unprecedented times, we’re having to work quickly to understand the impact the pandemic will have on Cancer Research UK’s fundraising.

“Since it began, Race for Life has raised over £890m for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has taken part and hope their support will continue throughout this time.”

Every day 83 people are diagnosed with cancer in Yorkshire but more people are surviving the disease now than ever before. Cancer survival in the UK has doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress.

Many of the scientists and researchers funded by Cancer Research UK are currently being redeployed to help in the fight against COVID-19. By helping to beat coronavirus, the charity can lessen the impact that this virus is having on the care of cancer patients.

Harrogate District Hospital has opened up an advice line for patients with cancer or suspected cancer to talk about treatment in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

The telephone line will be staffed by administrative and nursing staff so that it has clinical oversight each day.

It will be open 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm Mondays to Fridays excluding Bank Holidays. The number to call is 01423 557964.

Outside of those hours there will be a voicemail message that advises callers to contact NHS 11 or 999 in an emergency.

Anyone who has developed symptoms from their cancer treatment has been urged to call the Acute Oncology Helpline on 01423 555444.

Hospital cancels all non-urgent elective operations

It comes after the hospital was forced to cancel all non-urgent elective operations from April 15 – tomorrow – for at least three months.

Robert Harrison, Chief Operating Officer at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said: