Since the national stage 3 lockdown, March to May, concerned health experts have been warning Australians not to delay their medical appointments and tests, as this could result in serious health consequences.
These concerns have become even more heightened during Melbourne’s extended stage 4, and regional Victoria’s stage 3, lockdowns.
This important medical attention includes:
- routine cancer screenings – breast, bowel and cervical cancer screening and skin checks
- the management of ongoing health conditions, such as heart and kidney disease and diabetes
- or ignoring other important reasons to see their doctor, such as finding a new mole, a new lump or changed bowel habits.
Routine cancer screening
In May this year, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Brett Sutton advised Victorians that cancer screening was continuing to operate throughout the state and measures were in place to make these appointments safe to attend. Getting screened could save your life.6
If Victorians were due for breast, bowel or cervical cancer screening they should put their health first and make time to get checked. Cancer can be detected and treated early after a cancer screening. And testing and early detection increases the chances of successful treatment in most cases and can even prevent cancer from developing. If you have missed or cancelled an appointment, rebook it now.6
During the national stage 3 lockdown, The Cancer Council of Victoria and Melbourne's Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre recorded an almost 30 per cent decline in cancer diagnoses.5
The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre chief medical officer David Speakman said, "That means their chance of cure is decreased, the consequences are more severe and that may translate to more deaths down the road."5
Cancer Council CEO, Sanchia Aranda, said as many as one in 10 people may have put off cancer screening during the pandemic.1
"If it is one in 10 people who delayed [tests] by up to six months, that's about 7,000 cancers that would be diagnosed potentially later," she said.1
Worrying decline in cancer screening and diagnosis:
- Data from the Victorian Cancer Registry shows that cancer pathology notifications declined for all tumour streams up to 27 per cent, during the last lockdown. (end of March to end of June).3
- Melanoma pathology notifications in Victoria declined up to 31 per cent between April and June.3
- Data from the Cancer Council shows a 37 per cent drop in breast cancer reports in Victoria during April and May.7
- Cervical cancer screening down 71 per cent in April.8
- 60 per cent reduction in blood tests to detect prostate cancer in May, in comparison to 12 months prior.1
Victorian Cancer Registry director Sue Evans said, "The concern is that if people are not getting tested, particularly if they're symptomatic, that they may be presenting further down the path with more advanced disease.”
“Obviously, the more advanced the disease, the more difficult it is to treat and the poorer the survival."7
Management of chronic disease (heart and kidney disease and diabetes)
It is not just cancer screening that Australians have been putting off.1
According to Dr Harry Nespolon, from the Royal Australian College of GPs, fewer people with health conditions such as diabetes are having regular check-ups.1
"Patients who have chronic medical problems need to have regular checks to make sure they are going well, and so waiting until COVID-19 ends might mean they actually get really quite sick before then and might even end up in hospital," Dr Nespolon said.1
He said anyone who had developed symptoms such as a new mole, new lumps or changed bowel habits should not wait until the pandemic was over to seek medical care.1
"Those problems need to be sorted out now because if they do wait for a very long time it may go from being a treatable condition to an untreatable condition," he said.1
Dr Debra Graves, CEO of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia has also said “I strongly encourage anyone with a chronic condition who needs regular pathology tests or anyone who has symptoms they are worried about, to contact their GP to make an appointment and get the appropriate pathology tests done.2
We know that measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 will continue for some months and people need to continue looking after their health during this time. Pathology is essential to all areas of medicine but particularly to manage ongoing health conditions and diagnosis of cancer.”2
Measures to provide continued safe access to healthcare during COVID-19 restrictions have been put in place including telehealth consultations, and clinicians are able to request pathology tests based on a telehealth appointment.2
Collection of COVID-19 samples for testing is generally only performed in designated locations, either at a dedicated site or a location separated from general pathology collection. Dr Graves said: “Pathology providers are experts in detecting infectious diseases. They ensure that all parts of the organisation follow best practice to minimise COVID-19 infection risk. This includes collection centres where strict hygiene, appropriate distancing and separation measures are in place.”2
Doctors’ groups including the Australian Medical Association and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners have noted a fall in those attending for medical appointments, and are concerned for patient wellbeing if people continue to delay seeing their doctor and getting the tests they need.2
Dr Graves said: “We want to reassure Australians that pathology is still here providing the tests that you need every day. Your health is our priority.”
Make an appointment with your GP today and get tested
In May this year, Australia’s most trusted health associations including the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) wrote a heartfelt open letter to the public urging them not to delay medical appointments and tests during the pandemic, as they could prove lifesaving.
Postponing a visit to a health professional or a pathology test might seem OK, but cancer, diabetes and kidney disease do not stop during COVID-19. We need to avoid delays to ensure any new symptoms get checked and diagnosed quickly, and to ensure we monitor existing conditions.4
So, if you have put off a visit to general practice, an allied health professional or a pathology test - don’t delay any further. It could save your life.4
We understand you may have questions about how you can access the care you need safely, we encourage you to contact your health services and ask those questions. So please get in touch, make that call, or book an appointment today.4
Cancer, heart disease, diabetes and kidney disease won’t wait, so neither should you.4
References
1. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-14/coronavirus-medical-testing-delays-could-lead-to-future-sickness/12241812
2.https://www.rcpa.edu.au/getattachment/dac52407-a17d-4a1c-b31f-129fbfe50c85/Australians-urged-not-to-delay-health-tests-due-to.aspx
3. https://www.cancervic.org.au/get-support/covid-19/dont-delay/assets.html
4. https://www.clinicallabs.com.au/media/3101/270520-an-open-letter-to-australians-final.pdf
5. https://www.afr.com/policy/health-and-education/single-focus-approach-on-virus-takes-its-toll-20200808-p55jry
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBg2qoCqjLU&feature=youtu.be
7. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-11/cancer-diagnoses-down-during-coronavirus-pandemic/12445226
8. https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/cancer-won-t-wait-testing-plunges-during-pandemic-lockdown-20200611-p551p1.html