British cancer patient dies after treatment cancelled in first Covid-19 wave

Adrian Rogers was denied potentially life-saving surgery due to the risk of infection

Cancer Research UK estimate thousands of cancer patients missed out on treatment during the first wave of coronavirus. Getty Images

A British man died after being denied a potentially life-saving cancer operation because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Adrian Rogers, 46, from Nottinghamshire in England, was scheduled to have surgery for bowel cancer in April last year. He had been the focus of a high-profile campaign to get new drug treatments in 2020.

But as the pandemic hit the UK the procedure was cancelled as doctors felt it was too risky for Mr Rogers to share an intensive care ward with Covid patients.

At the time, Mr Rogers accused Britain’s National Health Service of leaving him “high and dry”. He was one of thousands put in danger as the health service shifted focus to the pandemic.

He was later informed surgery was no longer an option after his condition deteriorated because of the delay.

His wife, Amanda, said her husband died in late February after he suffered liver failure.

She said she could not help but think about what would have happened if her husband’s surgery had gone ahead.

"I definitely feel we wouldn't be where we are now if he had got to have his operation," she told the BBC.

"I know people say not to think 'what if', but I can't help it.”

After Mr Rogers’ surgery was cancelled, he resumed chemotherapy in an attempt to get back to an operable state.

Six months ago he also started taking the drug Avastin after a crowdfunding campaign was set up by his family. The cancer drug is not subsidised by the NHS.

Posting on the GoFundMe page, Mrs Rogers thanked the hundreds of donors who helped to raise more than £32,000 ($43,868).

“On behalf of myself and Adrian, he was totally overwhelmed by everybody’s kindness which enabled him to have Avastin, which he otherwise wouldn’t be able to have,” she said.

“To the world he was one person, but to me he was my world, thank you again for all your love.”

Cancer Research UK estimates more than 12,000 patients postponed surgery between March and June 2020 during the first wave of Covid-19 infection.

Researchers estimate nearly half of those who experienced cancer symptoms, including coughing up blood or developing a new lump, did not seek help during the UK's first lockdown.