MONTREAL

Just over three-quarters of the usual number of colonoscopies were performed during the pandemic

Published Sunday, May 2, 2021 10:27AM EDT

FILE - This microscope image made available by the National Cancer Institute Center for Cancer Research in 2015 shows human colon cancer cells with the nuclei stained red. A panel of health experts wants U.S. adults to start getting regular colon cancer screenings at age 45, five years earlier than it now recommends. While overall, colon cancer rates have been declining, the draft guidelines issued Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force reflect a growing concern about rising rates in younger people. (NCI Center for Cancer Research via AP, File)

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QUEBEC CITY -- Quebec is lagging far behind in colon cancer screening.

The fact was learned during the study of the Ministry of Health's appropriations this week in the National Assembly in Quebec City.

The situation is complex, said Assistant Deputy Minister Lucie Opatrny.

Unlike mammograms, colonoscopies are done almost exclusively in hospitals.

She confirmed, in response to a question from Liberal health critic Marie Montpetit, that only 76 per cent of the usual number of colonoscopies were performed during the pandemic.

In other words, 208,000 colonoscopies were performed in Quebec, compared to the usual 275,000.

Opatrny made no secret of her concern.

"The fact that we are not at 100 per cent is indeed a problem because you can have cancers that are present but not found," she said.

Colorectal cancer is the second most deadly cancer in Quebec, after lung cancer, far ahead of breast and prostate cancer.

"It doesn't reassure me, what I'm hearing, it doesn't reassure me at all," said Montpetit.

"To tell you the truth, I'm not trying to be reassuring," replied Opatrny.

The government does have a catch-up plan, she continued, provided that the third wave of the pandemic subsides.

The plan consists of eventually opening rooms in the evening and on weekends, depending on the availability of manpower.

Physicians are already "helping each other out" when there are not enough nurses, and agreements have been made with private specialized medical centres (CMS) to perform colonoscopies.

"The situation with colonoscopies is, unfortunately, more complex than with mammography catch-up," said Opatrny.

Quebec City confirms that 250,000 mammograms were done in 2020, compared to 333,000 the year before.

But the issue is not one of room availability, Opatrny said. Rather, it's the women who didn't make appointments, or who didn't show up for their appointments, she said.

"During the first wave, the screening centres were closed, but during the second and third waves, there was never a halt in the offer of screening services, which is mostly done outside of hospitals," said Opatrny.

The assistant deputy minister encourages all women who are concerned and eligible to go for their mammogram.

"They are guaranteed an appointment within three to eight weeks of calling, even during the third wave. The slots are available," Opatrny said.

-- this report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2021.