Leading WA oncologist concerned about long-term impacts of delaying regular check-ups
One of WA’s leading oncologists is concerned people delaying regular check-ups with their GP will lead to cancer being diagnosed in later stages, with poorer treatment outcomes.
18 Nov 2020
A/Professor Kynan Feeney, one of the top oncologists in the state, is concerned people are missing the window for early detection of cancer.
“During the height of the COVID-19 period in WA we saw people avoiding general check-ups with their GP’s,” he said.
“We know that people were actively avoiding crowded settings, which extended to people not presenting to medical clinics and hospitals when they were unwell.
“Since community transmission ceased in Perth, we haven’t yet seen numbers of presentations increase to pre-COVID levels.”
During April this year there was around a 50% drop in colonoscopy procedures compared to the yearly average.
It follows that at St John of God Murdoch Hospital Cancer Centre, the number of new patients due to start treatment was down significantly in July and August.
Medicare data obtained by Cancer Australia shows that diagnostic services for common cancers fell by up to 50 per cent in the period from March to April nationally. Since May this has improved, but is still lower than pre-COVID levels.
“We noticed a drop in new patients being diagnosed with cancer a few months ago and are concerned that there are a large number of people who have missed a window of opportunity to detect cancer early, leading to poorer treatment outcomes,” A/Prof Feeney said.
“We know that catching cancer early gives patients the best opportunity possible to detect and cure the disease, before it spreads in the body. We have seen a number of people recently diagnosed with later stage cancer who had symptoms for more than six months, but due to delays in presenting to their doctor, didn’t get their cancer detected at an earlier stage.
“I encourage everyone to have your regular check-up now. This is the best way to get on top of any treatment needed.
“I’m dreading the flow-on impact we may see later this year and into next with people possibly presenting with advanced cancer that will have poor treatment outcomes.
“While we are rightly busy protecting people from COVID-19 we also can’t take our eye off the ball with cancer detection. GP clinics and hospitals have processes in place to keep you safe and I encourage everyone to check in with their doctor sooner rather than later.”
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