a missed diagnosis led to stage 4 colorectal cancer

colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in canada. when diagnosed in the early stages, the disease has a 92 per cent five-year survival rate, according to data by the canadian cancer society, but more than half of all those with colorectal cancer are first misdiagnosed with other conditions, including anemia, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome and gluten allergy, according to colorectal alliance canada’s website .

genetic predisposition, smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, obesity, and poor diet — particularly if it consists of red or processed meats and foods high in sugar — may contribute to colorectal cancer. most people are diagnosed at age 50 and older, but the number of younger canadians with the disease appears to be growing, according to the never too young awareness campaign by colorectal cancer canada . there is evidence that suggests that sedentary habits may be to blame for the early onset of the disease.

“what we’re worried about and what we’re seeing statistically, is that the number of patients with colon cancer under the age of 40 is significantly increasing,” says dr. sami chadi, general surgeon at princess margaret cancer centre in toronto.

new national research data shows an alarming projection for colorectal cancer – a “six-month suspension of primary screening could increase cancer incidence by 2,200 cases with 960 more cancer deaths over the lifetime.” in 2020, more than 26,000 canadians were diagnosed with colon cancer, according to colorectal cancer canada’s website .

the canadian patient safety institute estimates that 28,000 canadians die every year from preventable errors made by healthcare providers. the canadian medical protective association (cmpa) — a $5 billion organization that supports and defends doctors in medical error or malpractice legal proceedings uses what mcgee calls “an outrageously adversarial approach” to discredit patients and their families.

the number of canadians entangled in court battles with healthcare providers is unclear, but in one report , a former cmpa lawyer revealed that “75 per cent of canadians lost at trial going up against the cmpa.”

mcgee pursued legal action against those whose conduct led to her advanced disease – the litigation dragged on for seven years before it was settled out of court at the request of the cmpa. the four doctors who were involved in her care were disciplined by the college of physicians and surgeons of nova scotia after an investigation separate from the lawsuit. mcgee shared the story in her book, the cancer olympics which won seven literary awards.

mcgee, who works with patients for patients safety canada says that she and other representatives of the organization met with health ministers across the country to present solutions that shift away from the existing deny-and-defend culture to a more “restorative approach” — one that includes patients in investigations, and where patients and healthcare providers partner together in patient safety improvement initiatives.