Don’t let COVID be the excuse
Cancer diagnoses and referrals have plummeted, writes Penny Egan
I HAVE always enjoyed quotations. One in my office says, “Make today count”.
In the world of cancer the strength of those words can never be underestimated.
We are all guilty of putting off until tomorrow what we could today. “Some day” is not a day of the week. There are some things we should be more vigilant about than others. Your health is one.
Since COVID-19 entered our lives, there has been a 30 per cent reduction in referrals and 20 per cent reduction in diagnoses for cancer. These delays can potentially result in increased mortality if people are not being tested early enough, increased costs to the health system and detrimental impacts to your life.
The requirements to isolate and recommendations to stay at home have impacted all of us, none more so than those who are most vulnerable.
We understand older Tasmanians, or our parents or relatives, may have not wanted to leave their home or burden a health system that needs to be alert and agile to deal with coronavirus.
While these reasons are admirable, if you don’t make your health as a priority, who will? Early detection can save your life. Tasmania has achieved some excellent results for participation in national screening programs.
Of Tasmanians invited to participate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, 47.8 per cent of have taken the test. This is highest participation rate in Australia but still there are 52 per cent who receive a kit who have done nothing with it.
It’s not hard to complete. I know because I am an old hand at it now.
My father died of bowel cancer when I was 24. The national screening program wasn’t around then, but I suspect my father wouldn’t have taken it anyway.
I also suspect he lived with his symptoms for many years before he finally went to the doctor. He died too young. As a family, we still had a lot of living to do and enjoy.
Breast screening rates in Tasmania are the highest in
Australia at 59 per cent and in the targeted 50-74 age group it is 69 per cent. Although the service was halted for a few weeks due to COVID-19, it is back up and operating in a safe environment.
The investment in breast cancer research has been phenomenal compared to some other cancers. The Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing indicates the survival rate five years after diagnosis is now 91 per cent.
The last time I had my Breastscreen I was in and out in 10 minutes. It’s not difficult. Having your breasts checked gives you some certainty but not having your breasts checked could be life-changing.
At some point, we hope COVID-19 will be controllable. Unfortunately, cancer is not going away any time soon. By 2040, one in 18 Tasmanians will be living with a history of cancer.
On average, more than nine Tasmanians a day receive a cancer diagnosis.
Since the first case of COVID-19 in Tasmania it is estimated more than 1200 Tasmanians have been diagnosed with cancer. The impact of that one diagnosis is also far reaching. Unfortunately not all cancers are detected early. The symptoms may not be displayed, or symptoms also related to other illnesses.
Nobody wants to live each day thinking every tweak or twinge you feel is leading to a cancer diagnosis, but that shouldn’t stop us from seeing the doctor or being checked.
“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” Don’t wait, don’t be complacent, don’t procrastinate. Get checked, it could save your life.
SINCE THE FIRST CASE OF COVID-19 IN TASMANIA IT IS ESTIMATED MORE THAN 1200 TASMANIANS HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER