Pandemic disrupting cancer treatment: Canadian Cancer Society

According to Kelly Wilson Cull, 47 percent of Canadians reported disruptions to their treatment

CITYnews\ Chris Halef

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The Canadian Cancer Society says the pandemic has impacted cancer screening and treatment in Atlantic Canada.

Kelly Wilson Cull, Advocacy Director for the Canadian Cancer Society, is raising concerns over the impact the pandemic has had on cancer patients and the care they receive.

According to Wilson Cull, 47 percent of Canadians reported disruptions to their treatment.

“Cancer has continued throughout the COVID pandemic,” she said. “It hasn’t waited for restrictions to lift and it impacts a lot of Canadians and Atlantic Canadians. We know that nearly one in two Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.”

She told CityNews that the East Coast provinces have not been impacted as significantly as some others, but she adds there are still some worries.

“Atlantic Canadians are not necessarily reporting signs and symptoms they way they have pre-pandemic,” she said. “Part of our message is really urging Canadians to make sure that they’re paying attention to their body, reporting any changes to their health-care providers and making sure they’re being screened and cared for.”

She said cancer is one of those diseases that is most treatable when caught early which is why disruptions in cancer appointments and surgeries can have such a significant impact.

Wilson Cull said global cancer diagnosis has dropped by 40 percent since the start of the pandemic.

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