A cancer patient has lifted the lid on her struggles of going through chemotherapy during a pandemic.

Deb from Highams Park was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, in Marc of last year she had an operation and has been shielding since the beginning of the pandemic.

She said: “I had an operation on March 10 last year and my mindset was, get through chemotherapy, get through my operation and start to get out into the world a little bit.

“Then Covid came along, I was sent the letter to shield and that plan was ruled out. In a way, shielding became a safety net for me, because I was already in a vulnerable position, not wanting to go out and be seen as a cancer patient.

“I may have endured the weeks of staying in, so it may appear like I have a higher endurance level, and I may be better prepared now, but emotionally, I didn’t know how long I could carry on doing this for!

“What I did do, through chemo, side effects or temperature issues, I called the Macmillan Support Line and cried down the phone to them about how much I couldn’t cope with the side effects any longer and asked them what was normal. They were a real lifeline.”

Macmillan Cancer Support says research has revealed the continuing toll of the ongoing coronavirus crisis on people with cancer, with many facing anxiety, disruption to care, and the disconcerting experience of going through diagnosis and treatment alone.

Their figures revealed around one in five people with cancer in London were worried that disruption caused by the coronavirus could be reducing the likelihood of their treatment being successful or, at worst, risk shortening their lives.

The research also shows around one in people with cancer in London are feeling depressed because of Covid-19, and 26 per cent even feel they will not be able to return to normal activities until there are no new cases of the virus being reported.

Chris Payne, Support Line Manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “There’s been a real change in the feel of the calls to the Support Line recently. People are really struggling, and emotions are heightened. We’re hearing from people every day who are feeling incredibly isolated, who are too scared to go outside because of their vulnerability to coronavirus and who have found receiving a diagnosis and going through treatment without loved ones by their side really distressing. For many, this pandemic feels like the worst possible Groundhog Day. We want them to know that they aren’t alone.

“Macmillan’s specially trained teams are on hand, every day, to provide support - answering, explaining and giving people time and space to come to terms with whatever they are going through. Our experts can even help with financial or welfare guidance or provide practical answers to day-to-day questions.”

Anyone in need of cancer support can call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, which is open 7 days a week, 8am-8pm.