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Cancer Awareness During COVID-19

We know many people have not been seeking care for serious health concerns since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Alberta, there has been a steady decrease in the number of new cancers being diagnosed β€” and this trend is happening across Canada and the world.

In response, AHS launched a provincewide public health cancer awareness campaign last winter to remind Albertans to listen to their bodies and book an appointment to see their family physician, even during a pandemic. The healthcare system in Alberta has been and continues to be available to help screen for, diagnose and manage cancer, with steps being taken to ensure we can do so safely.

Dr. Douglas Stewart β€” Physician of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology; Provincial Medical Director of the Cancer Strategic Clinical Network; and campaign lead β€” joins me to talk about the campaign and why it’s so important to respond appropriately to any issues people may experience with their health or body, and to stay up to date with routine cancer screening.

Doug shares what trends we are seeing in cancer diagnosis during the pandemic, what important symptoms to look for and when to seek medical help, and how the campaign is helping spread awareness to all Albertans.

Visit ahs.ca/bodytalk to learn more and to see available resources.