B.C. radiologists warn of possible 'tsunami of cancer cases' due to delayed medical imaging
A letter sent to B.C.'s health minister from a society of radiologists is warning the province could see a "tsunami of cancer cases" if a delay in medical imaging isn't addressed.
The letter, shared with CTV News Vancouver and dated Sept. 26, said "hundreds of thousands of patients" are waiting for medical imaging.
"We know that timely access to medical imaging saves lives and helps prevent disease progression," the letter from the B.C. Radiological Society to Adrian Dix said.
"Delays in medical imaging cause delays in diagnoses, specialist referrals, surgeries, medical treatments, cancer care and more."
The letter echoed concerns brought up in another message addressed to Dix last week, which estimated one million patients are waiting to see specialists in the province.
"We see the decline in specialist care first hand every day and we are exhausted and demoralized; it is soul-destroying to be unable to provide the specialty care that B.C. patients need and deserve," that letter, signed by more than 200 specialist doctors, said.
B.C.'s Health Ministry acknowledged the letter sent by specialists last week and issued a statement.
"We want to reassure people that we will always meet with doctors when they have concerns or suggestions on how to improve services," a comment from a spokesperson sent to CTV News Vancouver said.
The statement went on to say that "all doctors, including specialists, have avenues to have their concerns addressed, through Doctors of BC who represent them in talks with government."
The society of radiologists urged Dix to address four key areas, including training more medical imaging technologists, upgrading equipment, and reducing wait times for breast imaging. It also expressed an urgent need for emergency funding for community imaging clinics, similar to funding announced for primary-care providers last month.
"As with family physician clinics, CICs are experiencing rapidly increasing costs due to inflation. Several of these clinics are at risk of closing or reducing services due to increased costs," the letter said.
"If this were to occur, it would have a catastrophic impact on medical imaging wait times. All of those imaging studies would then fall to acute care facilities, which are already overwhelmed."
The B.C.'s Radiological Society it's "more than willing to collaborate with (the health minister) to develop specific solutions for remaining issues," but said work to address funding issues in CICs "needs to start now."
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Penny Daflos.
The full text of the letter is embedded below.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, Ontario police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Sports columnist apologizes for ‘oafish’ comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
BREAKING B.C.'s short-term rental regulations include $10K daily penalties for Airbnb, other platforms
Short-term rental platforms that violate B.C.'s pending regulations can face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day, officials announced Thursday.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.