A cancer charity has warned that those living with the disease are facing increased anxiety during the current Covid-19 lockdown.
Clan Cancer Support said the charity’s telephone and counselling services have received hundreds of requests for help from people worried about their or a relative’s diagnosis and what the future holds.
Chief executive Colette Backwell combines her work for Clan with her role as chairwoman of the Grampian Cancer Partnership Group, and also sits on the NHS Cancer Strategy Group.
She said: “The lockdown has had a major effect on us all, with fears of unemployment, family tensions and home-schooling requirements.
“However, if you have a cancer diagnosis, those fears are multiplied exponentially.
“When someone receives a cancer diagnosis, they are anxious to begin treatment, and having this paused or altered in some way, even with the reassurance from their medical team, can be incredibly worrying.”
Clan, which closed its face-to-face centres in March to protect clients, staff and volunteers, immediately set up a telephone support service, delivered counselling by telephone and launched an online resource centre.
The telephone support team offers practical and emotional support, as well as signposting to other relevant agencies and online resources.
While the demand for the charity’s services remains high, they have seen a significant drop in income due to the cancellation and postponement of key events this year.
Dr Backwell added: “Clan has been a lifeline for those affected by cancer during the coronavirus pandemic, and that is why it is so important for us to continue to be there and give people affected by cancer the hope, reassurance and support they so desperately need.”
