The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network says a new survey reveals COVID-19 continues to disrupt cancer care across Canada and, they say, it’s triggering another public health crisis.

Eighteen months after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, half of cancer patients across Canada report their cancer care appointments are cancelled, postponed, or rescheduled, while six in 10 recently diagnosed patients and seven in 10 patients with metastatic cancer report their cancer care appointments are cancelled, postponed, or rescheduled.

On average, it takes 28 days to reschedule cancer care appointments and 44 days to reschedule procedures or surgeries. One third of patients report they still do not have a rescheduled appointment or date for surgery.

Delays in appointments and treatments continue to impact patients and caregivers, with nearly 70 per cent reporting these delays were having a major impact on their emotional and mental health. The widespread decline in screening across Canada will likely result in cancers being diagnosed at later stages.

Jackie Manthorne, President and CEO of the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network says, “Cancer can’t wait. It can’t be cancelled or postponed. ” She says, “The pandemic cannot continue to delay diagnoses, tests, treatments and care that will help save cancer patients’ lives. As COVID-19 continues, so too must cancer care.”

The Network is calling on governments, healthcare facilities, and cancer centres not to wait until the pandemic is declared over to invest in strengthening cancer care. It says policy makers and hospital administrators  must help to avoid what may already be an unavoidable increase in the number of deaths from cancer.