Posted at 12:00 p.m.
We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has put tremendous pressure on our healthcare system. It obviously changed the priorities in terms of care, because it was necessary to put out the fire immediately by ensuring that patients with COVID-19 were treated appropriately. From the postponement of screening tests and treatments to the suspension of clinical trials, sudden disruptions in cancer care will impact the health care system for years to come.
Added to this is a growing aging population, which will put even greater pressure on the health care system. According to Statistics Canada census data in 2021, people aged 85 and over are the fastest growing age group in Canada.
Cancer disproportionately affects seniors: 63% of diagnoses concern people aged 65 and over. A new study carried out by the Canadian Cancer Society in collaboration with Statistics Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada reveals that cancer will strike more people in the years to come due to the aging of the population.
The fracture of systems presents an opportunity for change. The COVID-19 crisis has forced the healthcare system and organizations like the Canadian Cancer Society to operate differently to meet the most urgent needs.
We acted quickly and teamed up with people affected by cancer to bring their concerns to governments throughout the pandemic. The latter responded positively to the call by providing funding.
The federal government has announced that it will provide $2 billion to the provinces and territories to help them deal with the backlogs accumulated during the pandemic. These are important advances, but they represent only the tip of the iceberg.
Innovation, to evolve
If we continue with the same broken system from before the pandemic, we will not be able to fix the problems of access, equity, digitization, affordability, etc. To truly rebuild the health care system, we need to do things differently. Through innovation, we can adapt and evolve in times of crisis.
Canadian Innovation Week is a time to celebrate pioneers who find solutions to tackle the toughest challenges.
Cancer is one of the major societal issues that can benefit from bold innovations. Cancer is a difficult ordeal not only for the people living with it, but also for families, caregivers, communities and entire healthcare systems.
The pandemic has had a devastating impact: cancer has killed four times as many people as COVID-19 in the past two years. More than ever, we need to find ways to save lives and change the future of cancer forever.
That’s why the Canadian Cancer Society has partnered with Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) to create CDL Cancer, a world-class program where entrepreneurs, scientists, mentors and investors join forces to find far-reaching solutions to tackle the biggest cancer challenges.
Inspired by the concept of the TV show In the eye of the dragon, CDL Cancer pairs young scientists with business mentors who sometimes offer them funding. The practical application of research findings takes an average of 14 years. Through CDL Cancer, we aspire to reduce this time to save more lives, faster.
This example among many others illustrates how innovation can help rebuild a system that has been sorely tested by the pandemic. Gaps in the system offer a unique opportunity to foster innovation.
Brilliant people have solutions to the toughest problems in today’s health care system. Now is the time to listen to them and support them.