Dear Party/Candidate,

Please respond to these important questions.

The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CCSN) works to connect patients, survivors and other stakeholder groups with decision makers and the wider community to engage in discussion and to act on evidence-based best practices to alleviate the medical, emotional, financial and social costs of cancer and encourage research on ways to overcome barriers to optimal cancer care and follow-up for patients, caregivers and survivors in Canada.

A recent CCSN-commissioned Leger survey of 1,243 Canadians revealed that the response to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a crisis in essential cancer care across the country. Cancer patients, their caregivers and those awaiting confirmation of a cancer diagnosis faced and still face postponed and cancelled appointments, tests and treatment, causing heightened fear and anxiety, even as pandemic restrictions of are lifted.

Here are a few responses we received in our Leger survey from cancer patients living in New Brunswick:

“I had a throat scan cancelled, now I don’t know if I’m still in remission.”

“Crainte que le cancer soit revenu et de ne pouvoir avoir de suivi dans un délai raisonnable.”

The government of New Brunswick has a critical role to play in making sure that essential cancer care is not disrupted by COVID-19.

Cancer can’t be cancelled or postponed. The delay and cancellation of cancer care due to COVID-19 has triggered another public health crisis. Cancer care and diagnosis must continue during any public health crisis affecting Canadians to save lives.

If elected, how will your government provide the explicit inclusion of essential cancer care in a second or third wave of COVID-19 and in all crisis and pandemic planning in the future?

Your response will be circulated to cancer patients, caregivers and survivors in New Brunswick and included on our website at www.survivornet.ca. Links to your responses will also be posted on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Response from the candidate:

“Thank you for reaching out to me.  This is an important topic that has been brought up to be a few times over the last couple of weeks. I feel for cancer patients and their families who have been affected by these adjustments to care due to the COVID-19 challenges and restriction protocols. All New Brunswickers have a right to quality health care. The Green party has recognized that the global pandemic has brought into sharper focus the improvements needed to bring New Brunswick’s health care system into the 21st century. If elected we will be working diligently and persistently on these issues to ensure every New Brunswicker has access to the care they require in a timely manner.  Healthcare policy and reform are top priority for me and one of the main reasons I have chosen to run in this election.  I have the hopes and goals of making a positive and forward thinking impact in this area. I thank you for reaching out with these specific concerns!”

—Melissa Fraser Green Party Candidate Fredericton-York