Road to recovery: Cancer in the COVID-19 era

How the pandemic disrupted Canada’s cancer system

Cancer screening rates and surgery volumes dropped in many jurisdictions and clinical settings during the first year of the pandemic, creating a backlog that will likely take years to clear. At the same time, attrition and burnout among nurses, doctors and other health professionals is on the rise, and many job vacancies can’t be filled as the sector struggles with recruitment and retention.

Strengthening Canada’s cancer system starts with getting a clear picture of what’s happening today across all these issues — and what kinds of responses and investments will be needed for the future.