A release from Health Sciences North shows new data that ranks Northeastern Ontario at the top of the list for cancer care results. The region is first in the province for utilization of radiation treatment, symptom screening and breast cancer screening. Northeastern Ontario also has the best results in the province for providing access to radiation treatment at any time during a patient’s illness.
Officials say this translates into more patients having access to radiation treatment when they need it during their cancer journey. The Northeast Cancer Centre received a high grade for the screening of symptoms at least once per month at cancer centre visits. Managing patients’ symptoms during their cancer journey through supportive care is a high priority for the cancer centre. Northeastern Ontario also had more positive results than the provincial average in breast screening for women between the ages of 50-72. Finally, Northeastern Ontario achieved top-five status in Ontario for the post-surgical turnaround time for biopsy test results and tobacco screening for new cancer patients.
Vice President of Cancer and Clinical Support, Mark Hartman says they’re very proud of their team at the Northeast Cancer Centre and are pleased with the positive results. Hartman says the CSQI data also identified areas for improvement such as unplanned hospital visits, breast cancer screening and cervical cancer screening retention. He finished by saying they’re looking forward to using this data to help improve in these areas.