{"id":10306,"date":"2020-07-15T12:54:57","date_gmt":"2020-07-15T17:54:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=10306"},"modified":"2024-06-19T10:17:08","modified_gmt":"2024-06-19T15:17:08","slug":"delaying-cancer-care-can-cost-your-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/delaying-cancer-care-can-cost-your-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Delaying cancer care can cost your life"},"content":{"rendered":"

If the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)<\/a> pandemic caused you to postpone or skip a routine screening for cancer, it\u2019s time to reschedule.<\/p>\n

If you are experiencing non-COVID symptoms of health issues but are reluctant to see your primary care provider due to concerns about the pandemic, stop waiting<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t risk a bad outcome. Make the appointment.<\/p>\n

The National Cancer Institute<\/a> predicts that missed screenings because of the pandemic will result in an excess of at least 10,000 United States deaths due to breast or colorectal cancer, and thousands of more deaths by other cancers, over the next decade.<\/p>\n

Early cancer diagnosis is key<\/h2>\n
\n

Schedule your screening or checkup now<\/p>\n

Start with a primary care provider<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cIf you have cancer, that\u2019s more lethal to you than COVID-19,\u201d said Manpreet Sandhu, MD<\/a>, a medical oncologist and hematologist at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony\u2019s Health Center<\/a> in Alton, Illinois. \u201cThat\u2019s what the statistics say. If you have lung cancer, your chance of dying in the next five years is 40-50%. Meanwhile, the average mortality rate for COVID-19 is expected to be in the 1-2% range.\u201d<\/p>\n

Early detection of cancer increases your chance of survival. That\u2019s why mortality rates for cancers continue to decline as more and more people follow guidelines and get screened.<\/p>\n

But when the pandemic hit the world hard in March, everything changed. Health care systems shut down most screenings to divert resources to battling the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.<\/p>\n

Now, though, as screenings become available again, people are not taking the steps necessary to protect their long-term health.<\/p>\n

The Epic Health Research Network<\/a> this spring conducted a study of 2.7 million patients across 23 states and discovered that screenings for breast, colorectal and cervical cancer were down by 86-94% from the previous two years.<\/p>\n

\u201cCancer diagnosis and treatment are important,\u201d Dr. Sandhu said. \u201cYou can\u2019t just stop.\u201d<\/p>\n

Creating a safe environment<\/h2>\n

Dr. Sandhu said she is currently treating a patient for lung cancer. The patient began experiencing symptoms in February, but put off testing and evaluation because they feared going to the hospital.<\/p>\n

\u201cSix months is just way too long to wait, especially for lung cancer. Once you reach Stage 4, I can treat you, but I cannot cure the disease,\u201d Dr. Sandhu said. \u201cEarlier diagnosis means that you have a better chance of cure.\u201d<\/p>\n

The medical community is concerned that fear of the novel coronavirus continues to keep people from getting screened or seeing their provider about possible cancer symptoms.<\/p>\n

While understandable, the fear is unfounded, Dr. Sandhu said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt OSF Saint Anthony\u2019s, we have had a very low total number of COVID positive cases, but our COVID patients go to a separate floor. They are isolated. We have mandatory policies, and we ensure those policies are followed,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Further measures are taken to protect non-COVID patients.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur cancer center is a closed unit,\u201d Dr. Sandhu said. \u201cOnly patients can come in, and they are screened before they come in. Our biopsies and chemotherapy are in a completely closed unit. No visitors. Only the people who need to come in can come in. Everybody is screened at the door. Nobody comes in without a mask. And we are cleaning non-stop.<\/p>\n

\u201cBottom line: It\u2019s safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t delay cancer screening<\/h2>\n

The message is clear.<\/p>\n

If you have a chronic condition, it\u2019s important to continue to follow the health routine<\/a> you and your physician established. If you notice lumps or changes to your body, see your provider. It\u2019s also important to continue proactive measures to maintain or improve your health, so get screened.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t risk a bad outcome.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo not stay away from your doctor or the hospital,\u201d Dr. Sandhu said. \u201cPlease come in. Please.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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