Delays in cancer treatment are happening across the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in missed or late-stage diagnoses, prolonged pain and anxiety, and even death. 

During the first wave of the pandemic many cancer services were paused in order to free up resources for COVID-19 patients, linked to a 20 per cent decrease in cancer surgeries across the country, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Last April, Ontario instructed hospitals to ramp down non-emergency surgeries in an effort to maximize critical care capacity as the health crisis again worsened. 

Now, doctors say these postponed surgeries, cancelled outpatient appointments, and reduced cancer screenings mean many people aren’t getting the care they need. It is estimated that there is a current backlog of nearly 16 million healthcare services including surgeries, referrals and new cancer diagnoses. 

“These delays not only have an impact on morbidity and mortality, they also create heightened anxiety throughout one’s cancer journey,” says Dr. Naila Kassam, a primary care physician and Think Research’s Senior Medical Advisor. 

Kassam, who is based in Toronto, says addressing this backlog is vital, and encourages all Canadians to connect with their doctor to discuss cancer screenings and make arrangements for necessary appointments. 

This is critical because primary care physicians are often the first point of contact for patients with potential cancer symptoms and play a key role in encouraging patients to participate in screening programs. 

“Often, this can start with a virtual appointment to discuss which cancer screening tests are overdue and to organize a plan for completion,” Kassam says. “While some cancer screening tests require an in-person appointment, such as a pap test or mammogram, the colon cancer screening test can be done in the comfort of one’s home.”

Even though cancer screening programs have now resumed, Kassam says some people remain concerned about leaving their house to attend an in-person doctor’s appointment or go to a clinic to get imaging done. It’s a concern because research shows a delay of four weeks in cancer treatment is related to increased mortality.

In order to ensure patients get the best care, Kassam and her team have taken a proactive approach by focusing their efforts on higher-needs patients. These efforts include sending colon cancer screening kits directly to patients’ homes and reaching out to patients who have fallen behind on routine screenings. 

As COVID-19 case counts decline and the vaccine roll-out continues, Kassam thinks the tide is turning.

“We are hopeful that Canadians feel more comfortable attending appointments to ensure their cancer screening is up to date,” she says.

“We urge patients to connect with their family physicians or nurse practitioners about any change in their health status or new symptoms.”

Oncology professionals can discover physician-authored resources and complimentary events, including upcoming virtual conferences summarizing treatment advances from the American Society of Clinical Oncology, via Oncology Education, a member of the Think family of companies. Find out more and register for free now.