Searches for cancer advice climbs by over 50%
New figures from NHS England show than an NHS.uk webpage offering advice on the possible signs of cancer has jumped by 51% in the number of visits since the news broke of the Kings’ diagnosis.
The data, which was made public yesterday, revealed that within 24 hours of Buckingham Palaces’ announcement, visits to the page on cancer signs and symptoms rose to 14,668 compared to a daily average of 9,737 last week, which equates to an increase of 51%.
Against this backdrop, the visitor number peaked in the hour following the initial statement, with 1,530 visits being made to the page – an average of one visit every three seconds.
Commenting on the research, Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England’s national clinical director for cancer, said: ‘Talking about cancer helps save lives, and having more people looking at advice like those on how to spot the possible signs and symptoms of cancer is really important.
‘One in two of us will develop some form of cancer in our lifetime – but thanks to continued progress, more cancers are now being diagnosed at an early stage than ever before and survival rates are at an all-time high.
‘Detecting cancer early gives people the best chance of successful treatment, so I would encourage anyone to visit their GP if they have worrying symptoms, and to take up screening appointments when they receive them.’
In this country, the NHS have introduced a target called the Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS) which states patients shouldn’t have to wait more than 28 days from referral to finding out whether you have got cancer or not. However, the Covid-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis have caused huge pressures to pile onto the NHS, meaning they, and the government, are currently working to lower wait times.
It became public knowledge that King Charles was diagnosed with a form of cancer on 5th February 2024. After spending some time in Sandringham, His Majesty and the Queen have since returned to London for what is expected to be further treatment for his diagnosis.
Over the weekend the King published his first message to the public since the diagnosis, which said: ‘I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days.
‘As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement.
‘It is equally heartening to heart how sharing my own diagnosis has helped promote public understanding and shine a light on the work for all those organisations which support cancer patients and their families across the UK and wider world.
‘My lifelong admiration for the tireless care and dedication is all the greater as a result of my own personal experience.’
Image: Solen Feyissa
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