And now for something completely different...

This post isn’t specifically related to health human resources but I just had to bring it to attention, mostly for its comedic value. I was surfing some of the health blogs this morning and came across this post on Dr. Wes’ blog. Hilarious. A colonoscopy contest? Is this for real? Apparently so. Here is a link to the contest, sponsored by CBS and supported by the National Cancer Institute.

A lot of ink has been spilled about the differences between Canadian and American health care. Debating the merits and faults of either isn’t something I’m going to get into here. But nothing strikes me as more indicative of that difference than a sweepstakes contest offering free health care. Then again, a certain Halifax radio station had a contest a few years ago offering free plastic surgery (let’s just say, to ‘enhance’ certain assets) to the lucky winner. So, I guess crass reality show-style promotional events aren’t restricted to American-style health care. It’s funny, it’s weird. What do you think?

To give this post a bit of context and draw attention to the real issue here, I’d like to highlight a few facts (from the PEI Ministry of Health Annual Report 2006-2007 and the Health Canada website):

• Colorectal cancer (which the colonoscopy screens for) is one of the most common forms of cancer (including lung, prostate and breast cancers) affecting Canadians, with an incidence rate of 62 men and 41.1 women per 100,000 population in 2006.
• Incidence rates for colorectal cancer were higher for PEI than the rest of Canada (64.9 men and 52 women per 100,000 population). They were also higher for lung, prostate and breast cancer.
• Mortality rates for colorectal cancer were higher in PEI (31 men and 22 women per 100,000 population in PEI versus 27 men and 17 women in Canada). They were also higher for lung, prostate and breast cancer.
• Risk factors for colorectal cancer include age (over 70 most at risk), heredity, diet (high in red meat and low in vegetables may increase risk), weight, alcohol consumption and smoking.
• Colonoscopy is one of a number of screening techniques and is considered to be the most thorough screening technique.

It is somewhat disconcerting that the PEI incidence rates for colorectal and other cancers are higher than the Canadian average. There are likely many reasons for this – could human resources be one of them? Availability of human resources must certainly have an effect on mortality rates from these cancers. A 2006 article in the Montreal Gazette suggests that a lack of specialists and equipment in Québec is to blame for year-long wait lists for colonoscopies in that province, prompting many to pay for the procedure in one of Montreal’s many private clinics. Still, I don’t think we’ll see anything as bizarre and ‘un-Canadian’ as the CBS/National Cancer Institute colonoscopy contest on this side of the border anytime soon.

I believe it is also important for all of us to stay on top of managing our own health by living a healthy lifestyle and communicating with our physicians, pharmacists and other health care providers. It is always best to identify issues early.

Cheers,
Mark