Alberta public urged to seek needed care as more than 2,000 cancers went undiagnosed during pandemic

Alberta Health Services is urging Albertans not to ignore symptoms of illness after data shows serious issues have been allowed to develop during the pandemic.

Dr. Doug Stewart, medical oncologist with AHS, says cancer rates typically go up slightly each year, but since the pandemic started undiagnosed numbers are way up.

“... our data shows us that well over 2,000 cancers have gone undiagnosed since the COVID pandemic started last March, compared to data from the same period in 2019.”

Stewart says it’s “very alarming” that in some cases Albertans did not seek medical attention for months after they first noticed symptoms that were the early warning signs.

“... their diagnosis is unfortunately more serious than it could have been if it was caught earlier.”

A survey revealed that many did not seek medical attention because they were concerned about getting COVID-19. Some also did not want to take health resources away from others they felt may have needed it more.

In Medicine Hat Dr. Paul Parks, an emergency physician, says the data here is similar. Visits to ERs across the province and in Medicine Hat are down as much as 25 per cent.

Heart attacks, strokes and infections are some examples seen because of delays in seeking care, he says.

“As a group we are concerned that people in our community are delaying or avoiding presenting to the emergency department out of fear of COVID,” said Parks.

He stresses that there are many infection control procedures in place and that going to the ER is safe.

“People should not delay seeking care if they have concerning symptoms or are uncertain as to whether their symptoms are serious. We are here for them,” said Parks.

Medicine Hat Regional Hospital is functioning well and is not overwhelmed by the pandemic, he said. The pandemic is still a major issue, but everyone within the healthcare system is able to deliver safe and timely care.

AHS is launching a public campaign to remind Albertans to listen to their bodies and if something is not right, to book an appointment to see their family doctor. The campaign is particularly targeting symptoms that may be linked to a cancer such as changes to a mole, blood in urine, a new or growing lump or unexplained weight loss or gain.

Offices of family doctors are screening patients for COVID symptoms before appointments and taking a variety of precautions, a statement from AHS reads.

Dr. Gerry Prince, a local family physician, says earlier in the pandemic it was difficult to get an appointment with family doctors but most are now able to accommodate appointments. He says his office still occasionally gets a request to see a patient from another clinic because they can’t get an appointment with their own family doctor.