Notably fewer patients who suspect they may have cancer, are seeking treatment from specialists than before the coronavirus crisis began, according to the Helsinki and Uusimaa hospital district (HUS).
Around 5-10 percent fewer patients are seeking cancer specialist care these days compared to before the crisis, according to Markku Mäkijärvi, HUS' chief medical officer.
He said such a dip in patient numbers can mean that up to one hundred cases of cancer would go untreated in the district every month, adding that if the situation continues for a long time, the cancer treatment schedules of up to one thousand patients could be delayed for a year.
"I'm a little worried. The assumption is that, yes [the patients who need care] will come, but maybe the delay in diagnosis and treatment has grown - and for some types of cancer that will affect the outcome of treatments," Mäkijärvi said.
In theory some of the ailments affecting those missing patients could well still be in the early stages, without the need for specialist treatment.
"I would urge people to investigate and clear up cancer suspicions in a timely manner. As with other diseases, if there is a new pain or other symptom which is not relieved at home, you should see a doctor and find out. It won't get better by waiting," Mäkijärvi said.
HUS treats more than 10,000 cancer patients every year.