ArticleBMJ open2021
Cancer symptom experience and help-seeking behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK: a cross-sectional population survey.
Article in BMJ open, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 39 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
39 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Physical and mental health outcomes of COVID-19 induced delay in oncological care: A systematic review.Frontiers in oncology · 2023Pooled it
- Real-World Validation of PinPoint Blood Tests in the NHS: Multivariable Machine Learning to Predict Cancer Risk in Primary Care Urgent Referrals.Mayo Clinic proceedings. Digital health · 2026Article
- "I never thought to bring them up to the doctor": examining symptom appraisal, help-seeking behaviors, and diagnostic delays among young adults with cancer.Cancer causes & control : CCC · 2026Article
- Post-COVID-19 changes in care-seeking behaviors among Chinese cancer survivors: a cross-sectional study.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026Article
- The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Diagnosis, Treatment, and Survival of Lung Cancer Patients in Thailand from 2019-2021.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Assessing the impact of timely diagnosis on psychological outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients: A scoping review.PloS one · 2026Article
- Re-validation of the Cancer Research UK Cancer Awareness Measure 'plus' (CAM+): a study protocol.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Considerations and experiences with healthcare-seeking during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Denmark.Scandinavian journal of primary health care · 2025Article
- The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcomes of Colorectal Cancer in Singapore.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2025Article
- Article
- Challenges in understanding inequities in help-seeking for possible cancer symptoms.BMC global and public health · 2024Review
- 'I Do It All Alone': The Burdens and Benefits of Being Diagnosed With, and Treated for, Colorectal Cancer During the Covid-19 Pandemic.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2024Article
- Article
- Satisfaction with remote consultations in primary care during COVID-19: a population survey of UK adults.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2024Article
- Improvements in mental health associated with increased electronic communication and deterioration in physical health in adults aged 50+ during the COVID-19 pandemic.Frontiers in public health · 2024Article
- General practice as a place to receive help for domestic abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview study in England and Wales.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2023Article
- The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on community prescription of opioid and antineuropathic analgesics for cancer patients in Wales, UK.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2023Observational
- Article
- Awareness of symptoms, anticipated barriers and delays to help-seeking among women at higher risk of breast cancer: A UK multicentre study.Preventive medicine reports · 2023Article
- Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
17 authors.
Funding
Abstract
objectivesTo understand self-reported potential cancer symptom help-seeking behaviours and attitudes during the first 6 months (March-August 2020) of the UK COVID-19 pandemic.
designUK population-based survey conducted during August and September 2020. Correlates of help-seeking behaviour were modelled using logistic regression in participants reporting potential cancer symptoms during the previous 6 months. Qualitative telephone interviews with a purposeful subsample of participants, analysed thematically.
settingOnline UK wide survey.
participants7543 adults recruited via Cancer Research UK online panel provider (Dynata) and HealthWise Wales (a national register of 'research ready' participants) supplemented with social media (Facebook and Twitter) recruitment. 30 participants were also interviewed.
main outcome measuresSurvey measures included experiences of 15 potential cancer symptoms, help-seeking behaviour, barriers and prompts to help-seeking.
resultsOf 3025 (40.1%) participants who experienced a potential cancer symptom, 44.8% (1355/3025) had not contacted their general practitioner (GP). Odds of help-seeking were higher among participants with disability (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.38, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.71) and who experienced more symptoms (aOR=1.68, 95% CI 1.56 to 1.82), and lower among those who perceived COVID-19 as the cause of symptom(s) (aOR=0.36, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.52). Barriers included worries about wasting the doctor's time (1158/7543, 15.4%), putting strain on healthcare services (945, 12.6%) and not wanting to make a fuss (907, 12.0%). Interviewees reported reluctance to contact the GP due to concerns about COVID-19 and fear of attending hospitals, and described putting their health concerns on hold.
conclusionsMany people avoided healthcare services despite experiencing potential cancer symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside current help-seeking campaigns, well-timed and appropriate nationally coordinated campaigns should signal that services are open safely for those with unusual or persistent symptoms. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN17782018.
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