Emerging Research

Researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute released a report earlier in October, that provides an overview of the impact of COVID-19 on cancer treatment, research, and on individuals diagnosed with cancer. Here are just some of their main findings:

• individuals diagnosed with cancer are at high-risk of adverse effects if diagnosed with COVID-19 due to a weakened immune system, either from the cancer itself or from cancer treatments
  • study findings on which therapies increased patient's risk is mixed as most studies have look at systemic therapies as a whole rather than separately

• fear of contracting COVID-19 should not hinder patients from keeping up with their cancer care

• a study with breast cancer patients showed that telemedicine was associated with a higher quality of life
  • telemedicine, however, cannot be mandated as it can cause disparities in healthcare access

• there has been a sharp decline in cancer diagnoses and screening due to cancelled and delayed appointments

• COVID-19 has impacted some clinical trials and funding for cancer-related organizations

• some COVID-19 treatment methods come from cancer research

Researchers of a study on breast cancer patients, both early and late stage, who were diagnosed with COVID-19, concluded that mortality rate was most dependent on comorbidities, as opposed to history with radiation therapy or with current anti-cancer treatment.

A study of 216 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in Spain, found that 82% of patients had a vitamin D deficiency. This is compared to a 47% vitamin D deficiency in a control group of 197 individuals. Although the difference in vitamin D levels was found, researchers noted that the study should not be taken to mean that vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for contracting the COVID-19 virus; more research is needed to determine this.

COVID-19 Updates Across Canada

Since our last newsletter, here are some of the recent news and updates related to the COVID-19 pandemic across Canada that may be of interest to you. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and is current as of October 30th.

Canada

• The COVID-19 Alert App, which alerts you of potential COVID-19 exposure and which has been recently updated, is available to individuals in the following provinces:

  • Manitoba

  • New Brunswick

  • Newfoundland and Labrador

  • Nova Scotia

  • Ontario

  • Prince Edward Island

  • Quebec

  • Saskatchewan

Alberta

• COVID-19 testing will soon be available in Vegreville. Temporary COVID-19 testing sites are available in Wetaskiwin and Ponoka.

Manitoba

• Manitoba is introducing a new, appointment-based scheduling system for COVID-19 which will first be rolled-out in Winnipeg.
• COVID-19 testing in now available in in Dauphin, Swan River, Brandon (Keystone Centre site), Winkler, Steinbach, Portage la Prairie, Flin Flon, The Pas and Thompson.
• A new drive-up site for COVID-19 testing has been opened in Brandon.
• A new drive-up site for COVID-19 testing will be opening in the Manitoba Public Insurance building at 125 King Edward St. in Winnipeg.

New Brunswick

• 211 NB, a free, bilingual resource for New Brunswickers to access a variety of services, including non-clinical health services, was launched.
• New travel restrictions, with some exceptions, were put in place in regard to the Quebec border.

Nova Scotia

• Nova Scotians can now access online booking for COVID-19 testing appointments for assessment centres in the Central Zone or at IWK Health Centre in Halifax.

Ontario

• York region has been added to the list of areas of higher community spread.

Quebec

• A new drive-up COVID-19 testing site has been set up in East Montreal.