Shocking Study Reveals Most Canadians Visit ER Before Cancer Diagnosis!

A new alarming study has concluded that a significant number of cancer patients in Canada, particularly in Ontario, are turning to emergency rooms (ER) prior to receiving their diagnosis. With over half of these patients ending up hospitalized after their ER visits, the findings raise serious questions about the healthcare system's capacity to identify cancer early.

The research, highlighted in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), showed that more than a third of cancer patients had sought emergency help in the three months leading up to their diagnosis. Dr. Keerat Grewal, an emergency physician at Mount Sinai Hospital and co-author of the study, pointed out that "almost one in three" patients are utilizing emergency services during their cancer diagnostic journey.

The study encompassed over 650,000 patients diagnosed with cancer between 2014 and 2021. While the data is specific to Ontario, Dr. Grewal indicated this is a nationwide trend. Among those attending ERs, a staggering 64% visited once, while 23% had two visits, and 13% made three or more visits — with over half being subsequently hospitalized.

Certain demographics were found to be more prone to making ER visits: older patients, individuals in rural or northern areas, and those diagnosed with challenging cancers like brain, pancreatic, liver, gallbladder, or thoracic cancers were among the most frequent visitors.

It’s crucial to note that the study relied on administrative data; thus, it remains unclear whether these cancer diagnoses were finalized at the ER. Dr. Grewal expressed, "In the emergency department, we often can't definitively diagnose cancer, but we usually have strong suspicions based on blood tests or suspicious imaging."

The reasons behind these ER visits are multifaceted, with some patients displaying notable symptoms, such as coughing up blood, leading to suspected diagnoses like lung cancer. Others may come in for entirely different health issues only to have potential cancers discovered incidentally through scans. Moreover, patients who suspect cancer after consultations at walk-in clinics or through family doctors may visit the ER to expedite their follow-up.

Despite the high volume of suspected cancer cases, Dr. Grewal acknowledged that the ER isn’t an optimal environment for cancer diagnosis. Emergency physicians typically see patients only once, and most ER departments in Ontario lack the facilities to ensure follow-up biopsies or further care.

While Ontario is equipped with several diagnostic assessment clinics for cancer, they are usually limited to specific cancer types. Dr. Grewal called for a more streamlined access route to cancer diagnosis, noting, "Currently, there are no standardized pathways for patients with suspected cancer to be reliably assessed."

She added, "The next step is to explore how we can improve care delivery to these patients in the emergency department, especially given the increasing number of individuals seeking diagnosis there." Additional research is also necessary to understand why certain populations are more likely to frequent ER services.

As the need for timely cancer diagnosis becomes critical, experts estimate that Canada is poised to face a staggering 247,100 new cancer cases and 88,100 cancer-related deaths in 2024. Lung cancer is expected to be the most diagnosed cancer this year, with breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers following closely.

This eye-opening study underscores the urgent necessity for reevaluating cancer care pathways in Canada and ensuring that patients receive timely and appropriate diagnostic care before it's too late. Don’t miss out; stay informed and protect your health!