Clinicians concerned over potential 'ticking timebomb' of cancer patients and 'significant' waiting times for endoscopies due to COVID-19

DUESSELDORF, Germany, March 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

• New European survey shows that 74% of clinicians are concerned there is likely to be a 'ticking timebomb' of cancer patients waiting for diagnosis and treatment, as a result of COVID-19^[1]
• 79% of clinicians said that COVID-19 has significantly increased waiting times in endoscopy^[2]
• Yet 56% are still concerned about COVID-19 transmission during an endoscopy procedure^[3]

Endoscopy clinicians across Europe are concerned that patients will have more progressed cancers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new data released today by Fujifilm to mark the start of ESGE Days 2021.

With the postponement and cancellation of non-emergency care due to COVID-19, there is increasing concern amongst clinicians that these measures could lead to severe consequences for patients. According to the survey, 8 in 10 (82%) of the endoscopists, GI nurses and GI surgeons that were polled by SERMO, said they were concerned that patients will have more progressed cancers that are more difficult to treat due to the pandemic.^[4]

Endoscopy services have been considerably affected by the pandemic. The survey shows that for over three-quarters of respondents (79%), COVID-19 has significantly increased waiting times for endoscopy.

Whereas 76% of respondents highlighted that endoscopies now take longer as a result of the extra infection prevention measures put in place because of COVID-19, more than half (56%) are still concerned about COVID-19 transmission during an endoscopy procedure.^[5]

As a result, Fujifilm has launched a transnasal endoscope and droplet shielding mouthpiece, in an effort to try and help protect healthcare professionals on the frontline during this challenging time. High quality transnasal endoscopes can enhance efficiencies^[6] and significantly lower levels of gagging for patients^[7], which can help limit the risk of transmission for healthcare professionals and patients, while the PPE mouthpiece helps reduce healthcare workers' risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 and other pathogens.^[8]

Mat Tallis, European Business Manager at Fujifilm EU, said:

"The results of the survey clearly demonstrate that clinicians across Europe are particularly concerned about safety and waiting times for their patients.

"We need to work together to tackle these challenges and ensure high-quality care for patients by facilitating endoscopy procedures, while also improving safety measures to minimise the risks of infection.

"This is why at Fujifilm we have developed a transnasal endoscopy solution and a new droplet reduction mouthpiece to help healthcare professionals and their patients to get through the backlog quickly and safely."

Dr Edward J Despott, Clinical Lead of Endoscopy Services at the Royal Free Hospital in London, said: 

"I am particularly concerned by the postponement and cancellation of non-urgent care and the impact this is having on patients.

"It is crucial to get endoscopies up and running again for the benefit of patients, but this has to be achieved in a safe way.

"Transnasal endoscopy is one solution as it is much more comfortable and tolerable for patients, enhances the turnaround for procedures and increases efficiency. It offers endoscopists the ability to operate with good levels of safety and protection from COVID-19, reducing the risk of virus transmission by limiting aerosol spread. All without compromising on quality."

NOTES TO EDITORS

For more information, please contact Will Culliford on eluxeo@lexcomm.co.uk, phone number +44 (0) 207 025 2300.

About FUJIFILM Europe GmbH

FUJIFILM Europe GmbH (Duesseldorf, Germany) acts as strategic headquarter for the region and supports its group companies in Europe by formulating marketing and corporate strategies. Fujifilm entities operate in over 50 group companies and branches in Europe and employ around 4,500 people engaged in R&D, manufacturing, sales, and service. Throughout Europe they serve a range of industries including medical technology, graphic systems, electronic materials, chemicals, optical devices, recording media, and photography. Over the last decade, the company has more intensively focused on healthcare, and now looks back on over 80 years of experience in medical imaging. Today, Fujifilm provides the entire spectrum of patient care, ranging from prevention to diagnostics and therapy solutions.

For more information, please visit: www.fujifilm.eu

^[1] SERMO survey of 308 clinicians, data on file (February 2021)
^[2] SERMO survey of 308 clinicians, data on file (February 2021)
^[3] SERMO survey of 308 clinicians, data on file (February 2021)
^[4] SERMO survey of 308 clinicians, data on file (February 2021)
^[5] SERMO survey of 308 clinicians, data on file (February 2021)
^[6] Despott E, Advancing minimally invasive aspects of flexible gastrointestinal endoscopy, Imperial College London, October 2012, p.52. https://doi.org/10.25560/25139 
^[7] Despott E, Advancing minimally invasive aspects of flexible gastrointestinal endoscopy, Imperial College London, October 2012https://doi.org/10.25560/25139
^[8] Internal tests, comparing the number of droplets found within the range of 200mm×40mm, have shown that the "B1" mouthpiece cuts more than 99% of respiratory droplets measuring 5μm or larger in coughs, compared to our existing mouthpiece