Patients are putting up with painful and concerning health symptoms for fear of developing COVID- 19 if they attend a medical centre for screening or treatment, according to Burwood doctor Dr Michael Suen.
Dr Suen, a colorectal specialist at Strathfield Private Hospital, said some patients were refusing to have much-needed surgery until the lockdown restrictions lifted, placing their health at serious risk.
“We are anticipating a post-COVID rise in patients with symptoms of illness and disease because there’s been a marked drop in bowel screening and surveillance procedures,” Dr Suen said.
“Hospitals and health centres are very safe places for people to visit as they strictly follow the guidelines and procedures on COVID-19 from the Health Authority. It is vital people continue to take care of their health throughout the pandemic to avoid bigger medical problems afterwards.”
Dr Suen said he would be staging a free online forum on Thursday, June 18 to help allay concerns about visiting a doctor and to encourage people to have check-up.
“June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month so it’s a perfect time to be talking about the disease’s symptoms, who is most at risk, the ways screening and early detection helps and how to perform Bowel Cancer Screening test in the privacy of your own home,” he said.
“We don’t want to see patients develop serious diseases that could have been prevented or detected earlier. I am urging anyone with any concerns about their own health or that of a family member to attend the community forum to find out safe ways they can continue caring for their health.”
Dr Suen said many bowel conditions did not generate significant symptoms in their early stages which was why check-ups were so important.
“Most bowel cancers are preventable if we get them early enough,” he said. “It’s important not to ignore symptoms or changes in your bowel health when they do develop.”
Strathfield Private Hospital CEO Sally Cameron said Dr Suen was one of very few doctors in Australia to offer a one-stop shop for bowel health, treating a range of stomach, bowel and pelvic floor conditions in one practice.
“The expertise of Dr Suen and his team allows Strathfield Private Hospital to deliver some of the country’s most innovative and successful treatments for people with gastrointestinal conditions,” Ms Cameron said.
