Get our daily coronavirus email newsletter with all the news you need to know direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A man with skin cancer has said he feels the government has given him a death sentence after his treatments were cancelled due to coronavirus.

Liam Hart, 22, was due to undergo surgery to remove the cancer - but earlier this month was told the operation would not be going ahead when planned.

He says he feels "abandoned" by the government after all his appointments were also cancelled.

Liam, from Manchester, said: "My government has ultimately given me a death sentence by stopping treatments.

"I'm 22 with a heart condition and a rare skin cancer - all treatments have been stopped and all appointments have been cancelled.

"I've been abandoned by my government and the people who are supposed to care for my life when it's in danger.

For the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, read our liveblog here

(Image: REUTERS)

"It's so hard to follow these government rules. If I'm going to die I want to die with my freedom.

"I'm 22 and I shouldn't need to worry about who will look after my family and I at least want to chance to see my 23rd birthday."

Liam, due to have surgery at The Christie hospital in Manchester, said that while he understands the enormity of the coronavirus crisis, he feels the vulnerable and at risk with cancer need to be rememberd.

He added: "We need to be remembered too - it feels like even though we're here now, nobody cares if we live or die.

"It's like we've been forgotten."

Other cancer patients have also expressed their fears after having treatments and surgeries cancelled.

(Image: Media Wales)

One man, from Anglesey, Wales, found out part of his procedure had been cancelled after he travelled 200 miles to the hospital.

Phil Coventry was told the screening treatment was axed because of concerns about cross-infection amid the expected flood of coronavirus patients.

Now, coronavirus means that he might have to receive important follow-up appointments online.

Those battling cancer have been described as some of the 'hidden victims' of the Covid-19 crisis, Wales Online reports.

Tenovus Cancer Care, a Welsh charity for patients with the disease, said that services are under a huge strain as resources have been diverted to tackle the outbreak.

It has warned that delays in treatment and screening could mean both current and future cancer patients will struggle to get the care and treatment they need.

(Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)

Cancer specialist Karol Sikora last week warned a six month lockdown could lead to 50,000 more cancer deaths.

Dr Sikora said currently an estimated 400 cancers are being missed because breast, cervical and bowel cancer screenings have been suspened.

He writes: "For any of these patients, delay can be a death sentece.

"In addition, the NHS has cancelled most routine surgeries for three months. That's tens of thousands of people who must endure further pain and distress as they wait for the operation or procedure that might dramatically improve their quality of life."

Dr Sikora said affected patients have become "collateral damage in the war against coronavirus ".

The cancer specialist said he has witnessed empty wards in NHS hospitals and "eerily silent" theatres.

Writing for the Mail, he said while the coronavirus dominates the healthcare system at the moments, the next health disaster will be the "millions" at risk after being neglected".

Dr Sikora added: "If this continues for six months, I suspect that in years to come there will be at least 50,000 excess cancer deaths".

He described the figure as "terrifying".

The Christie hospital did not wish to comment.