Alarm as medical tests for cancer, diabetes and other illnesses dive in Sydney’s Covid-19 hot spots

Aussies in Covid-19 hot spots across Sydney are too frightened to get help and experts warn the delays could threaten lives.

Testing for life threatening illnesses has plunged 40 per cent in Sydney’s Covid-19 hot spots with doctors warning later diagnoses could threaten lives.

Medlab, the largest private pathology provider in South Western Sydney, has released data for August showing key tests for cancers dived by over 50 per cent in the region in August compared to February this year.

Diabetes testing fell by nearly 40 per cent and cholesterol tests which indicate risks of heart disease by 48 per cent.

“People with chronic diseases such as cancers, diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease need regular pathology tests to manage their condition,” Pathology Awareness Australia and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) warned.

“If these tests are skipped people could struggle to maintain good health, their condition may deteriorate and in some cases they may require hospital treatment,” the groups said in a joint statement.

Delays in other medical tests during Covid can be deadly. Picture Getty Images.

Delaying cancer diagnoses could be deadly.

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, there were 148,000 fewer diagnostic procedures for breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers compared to the same period in 2019.

And between January and September 2020 there were nearly 2,000 fewer cancer surgeries compared to 2019.

Last month leading cancer organisations launched an advertising campaign to urge people not to skip screening or follow up tests for cancer.

Delays in diagnosing and treating cancer may lead to a more advanced stage of the disease at diagnosis and result in poorer patient outcomes, Cancer Australia chief Professor Dorothy Keefe has warned.

Delayed diagnoses also add to the pressure on the health system after the Covid crisis abtes.

“We saw the same issue in 2020 across Australia and particularly in Victoria during lockdowns where many people put off seeking medical care,” RACGP President Dr Karen Price said

“Hospitals and paramedics are experiencing increased pressure at the moment for several reasons but a contributing factor is the knock-on effect of that delay in seeking healthcare that has led to more patients presenting at a later stage,” she said.

John Crothers, Chair of Pathology Awareness Australia said it was vital for anybody who has new symptoms they are worried about to contact their GP and get the appropriate investigations done, including any tests they might need.

“Lockdowns are tough for everyone making it all the more important to look after our health needs. I strongly encourage anyone who has an existing health condition that requires regular pathology tests to keep up with their tests,” he said.

Cancer diagnoses and treatments delayed during Covid. Picture: Getty Images.

People fearful of catching Covid if they attended a doctors surgery are being reassured they can seek help from a doctor using telehealthcare services.

It was also important to know people being tested for Covid were not attending regular pathology clinics.

Special respiratory clinics have been set up in many areas to look after patients with respiratory symptoms, and health services have separate COVID-19 screening processes in place, the groups said.

Sturt Eastwood, Chief Executive Officer, Diabetes NSW & ACT said Southwest and Western Sydney are hot spots for diabetes.

Almost 137,000 people in the Primary Health Networks in these areas live with the condition.”

“Regular health checks, like HbA1c are an essential part of ongoing diabetes care,” he said.

“While we understand that lockdown is adding additional pressure to everyone’s lives, we encourage people to continue with these checks and stay on top of their diabetes management to avoid developing serious health complications,” he said.

Comparative lab data for the month of August compared to the month of February shows:

*Overall pathology testing down 38% (excluding Covid testing)

*Full Blood Examination (overall) down 39%

*Lipid Tests (Heart) 48%

*PSA (cancer-prostate) down 48%

*HPV (cancer-cervical) down 53%

*HIV (infection) down 42%

*HbA1C (diabetes) down 38%

Originally published as Alarm as medical tests for cancer, diabetes and other illnesses dive in Sydney’s Covid-19 hot spots