Delays in cancer care resulting from COVID-19 are expected to substantially increase mortality from colorectal cancer across Canada.
Delays in cancer care resulting from COVID-19 are expected to substantially increase mortality from colorectal cancer across Canada. Colorectal Cancer Canada (CCC) launches advocacy campaign ‘Ready For The Next Round’.
MONTREAL, Feb. 25, 2021 /CNW/ - March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, an important time to remember and support all those touched by colorectal cancer and a time to remind Canadians that colorectal cancer is Preventable, Treatable, and Beatable, if caught in a timely manner.
READY FOR THE NEXT ROUND
This has been a particularly challenging year for all Canadians, but especially so for cancer patients and those awaiting diagnosis and treatment. “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is predicted that we will see a large increase of advanced colorectal cancers. This is due to periodic suspensions of colorectal cancer screening programs, deferred treatment and cancer care, coupled with a reluctance of individuals to seek help when experiencing symptoms of colorectal cancer. Ultimately, this will result in an increase in mortality from the disease. We are only beginning to experience the consequences of the backlog of undiagnosed and untreated patients and we need to do everything possible to help them and their families, including finding new solutions,” said Barry D. Stein president and CEO of Colorectal Cancer Canada.
To address this issue, Colorectal Cancer Canada teamed up with Dr. Darren Brenner and Dr. Timothy Hanna to launch a campaign “Ready For the Next Round” to find innovative solutions to build a more resilient cancer care system that will minimize the impact on cancer care delivery the next time a crisis hits. “We have to be ready for the next national crisis, we need to be innovative, collaborative, and nimble. Canadians are looking for positive and proactive solutions,” said Dr. Brenner. “We have a golden opportunity to take what we’ve learned and plan ahead so that we are prepared for the next time we are faced with a crisis, " said Dr. Hanna.
Patients, caregivers and health professionals, as well as the public at large, are invited to provide their ideas and comments by joining the conversation with CCC at: jointheconversation@colorectalcancercanada.com
The “Ready For The Next Round” campaign video can be seen at: www.colorectalcancercanada.com/ready
SUPPORT FOR PATIENTS
Colorectal Cancer Canada is also launching virtual monthly support groups nationally on March 1st, to help support patients and their caregivers. “Patient and caregiver support is at the heart of all our programs,” says Chana Cohen, Patient Support Specialist at Colorectal Cancer Canada. “As a patient organization, we know the stress and anxiety that patients and their families endure, especially during these troubling times. Patients and their families have to deal with the stress of their diagnosis and treatment, and they now have the added complications brought on by the pandemic,” she adds. Our monthly patient support groups will help patients and their caregivers come together to support each other, culminating with a virtual Colorectal Cancer Community Conference May 18-19.
Cancer patients and their caregivers are encouraged to contact Chana Cohen to register for support and the conference at: chanac@colorectalcancercanada.com
About Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Canada for men and women combined. In 2020, approximately 26,900 Canadians were diagnosed with the disease and about 9,700 individuals died from it. A Canadian study in the BMJi suggested that with a four week delay in surgical treatment, mortality from colon cancer will increase by 6%, and even more with longer delays. For colorectal cancer chemotherapy, the increase in mortality was 13%.
| 1 | Mortality due to cancer treatment delay: systematic review and meta-analysis https://www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m4087 |
About Colorectal Cancer Canada (CCC)
Colorectal Cancer Canada is Canada’s dedicated non-profit patient organization, and since 1998 has been committed to increasing awareness and educating Canadians about colorectal cancer, supporting patients and their families, and advocating on their behalf.
By supporting CCC, you are joining the fight against colorectal cancer and helping CCC develop life-saving programs and support for patients across the country who struggle to meet the many challenges of this disease.
About Dr. Darren Brenner
Dr. Brenner is a molecular cancer epidemiologist in the Departments of Oncology and Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary. His research is focused on the intersection of lifestyle, genetics, and molecular pathways in the development of several cancers. Dr. Brenner is currently leading studies to examine the utility of biomarkers in the prediction of cancer risk and the impact of lifestyle (obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, poor nutrition) and environmental factors on relevant genetic and molecular pathways in colorectal, breast and lung cancer risk.
About Dr. Timothy Hanna
Working within the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research/Cancer Care Ontario Health Services Research Program, and based in the Queen’s Cancer Research Institute (QCRI) Division of Cancer Care and Epidemiology (CCE), Dr. Timothy Hanna’s research focuses on three translational streams of health services research: quality of care, value of care and access to care. As a cancer health services researcher, Dr. Hanna’s findings help identify ways to improve population health by driving improvements in cancer care delivery. His goal is to translate cutting-edge knowledge from clinical trials into widely adopted, accessible and high-quality interventions available to all Canadians who need them.
SOURCE Colorectal Cancer Canada
