Cancer care is improving in Manitoba but advocates for the region say there is more work to be done.
Currently, about 7,000 Manitobans are diagnosed with cancer each year and experts expect that number to rise to 10,000 by 2030 as the province navigates an aging and aging population.
“More and more people are being diagnosed with cancer and more people are being left to seek treatment, which is why cancer is becoming so prevalent,” says Dr. Sri Navaratnam, President and CEO of CancerCare Manitoba.
CancerCare Manitoba says it is focused on closing a number of gaps, including ensuring that Indigenous Manitobans and those living in more remote corners of the province receive equal care.
“We are trying to work with disadvantaged populations, and we know First Nations, Métis, Inuit, their cancer outcomes are relatively low compared to the rest of Manitoba and the rest of Canada,” says Dr. Navaratnam. “
According to The Canadian Cancer Society, people living with the disease are still feeling the effects of the pandemic.
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“One in four people were still reporting disruptions in care, therefore canceling or postponing appointments.” says Stephen Piazza, the Society’s Advocacy Director.
Piazza says that early diagnosis usually makes it easier to treat and usually leads to better outcomes.
“Many cancers have gone undetected and undiagnosed since the pandemic, due to disruptions to things like screening programs. We want more timely access to things like cancer care. The flip side of this statistic is the psychosocial impact of canceled or postponed appointments.
With this in mind, organizations are working on improvements to deliver information to patients and how research can advance care.
“We’re trying to diagnose cancer earlier, have more treatments available, new technologies.” Dr. Navaratnam says.
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“We really need to bring research to patients. This is a huge gap we need to close in clinical trials.
“Every cancer patient who comes through the door should be able to see, is there a clinical trial? That means a new drug being tested or a new way of treatment being tested .
As health care providers and researchers work to close those gaps, Dr. Navaratnam says, overall, more people are surviving the disease.
“Now, 64 to 65 out of 100 people … are cured of cancer.”
“We’re trying to diagnose cancer earlier. There are more treatments available, new technologies, so it’s a significant improvement.”
In the meantime, the Canadian Cancer Society hopes that the conversation about cancer care will play a bigger role in shaping the future of Canada’s health care system.
“A growing and aging population, cancer epidemics that have gone undiagnosed are all things that need to be considered as we negotiate what the future of health care in Canada is going to look like,” says Piazza. Have been.”
, With files from Rosanna Hempel of Global
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