HEALTH SYSTEM MUST DO MORE FOR CANCER PATIENTS

While many get good care, a new CARP survey shows some Canadians fall through the gaps Less than half believe the public health system is well equipped and treats cancer effectively 90% say cancer should be the top priority of the public health system and new government investments are needed to prepare the system for growth in cancer cases Almost every Canadian has been affected by cancer in some way – either by having the disease themselves or by having friends or loved ones afflicted.

This is why CARP decided to survey its members to find out about their experiences with cancer, how it is treated in Canada’s medical system and their perspectives on health system priorities and investments. The results will allow CARP to discuss with governments what they are doing right and how they need to improve so that Canadians with cancer in the future get better care.

A key finding of the survey was that more than nine out of 10 (91%) say Canada’s public health systems need to make new investments so they can be better prepared to treat cancer. Another large majority, 90%, believe cancer should be the top priority of their public health system. On the issue of funding, one respondent noted that “cutbacks and/or no new funding will and does hinder the future of our healthcare system which we are blessed to have.” Another respondent spoke to the urgency for governments to address this issue and that “they need to prepare now!”

With an aging of population and rising rates of cancer, which the Canadian Cancer Society says will strike one of every two Canadians, more than half (52%) of respondents to the survey said their public health system is not ready to face the onslaught.

While the survey garnered many positive stories of cancer patients receiving good and timely care and treatment, almost one in four respondents said patients are not receiving optimal care. Less than half believe the public health system is well equipped and treats cancer efficiently.

CARP’s cancer survey was available on CARP’s website from January 23 to February 13, 2019. The survey attracted nearly 4,000 respondents from every province. About half the respondents had themselves received a cancer diagnosis at some time. This figure is consistent with the Canadian Cancer Society statistic that one out of every two Canadians can expect to get cancer in their lifetime.

Learn more about this topic and how to get engaged to improve cancer care by tuning into our Zoomer Media Panel that will take place in September. Details to follow shortly.