Delays in Gynecological Surgeries Endanger Women’s Health Across Canada

Delays in gynecological surgeries have reached alarming levels in Canada, putting the health—and in some cases, the lives—of women at significant risk. Medical professionals are sounding the alarm over long wait times for essential procedures, which can stretch from several months to over a year. The issue is particularly pressing for women with conditions such as endometriosis or uterine cancer, where timely intervention is crucial.

Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth, a family physician based in Ottawa, experienced this firsthand after enduring post-menopausal bleeding. Aware of the risks associated with such symptoms, she understood that the likelihood of endometrial cancer was high. Unfortunately, she also knew that accessing a gynecologist could take six months to a year in Ontario. According to data from Ontario Health, average wait times for gynecological surgeries can extend up to four months, a sharp increase from just a month and a half a decade ago, as reported by the Fraser Institute.

Dr. Nick Leyland, president-elect of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, attributes these delays to several systemic issues, including restricted operating room access and a lack of prioritization for gynecological procedures. He noted that, unlike surgeries for male patients, those involving female patients often receive less funding and support, leading to inequities in care.

Long Waits Affecting Women’s Health

Michelle Ganam, a 40-year-old resident of Smiths Falls, Ontario, knows the struggle all too well. Diagnosed with endometriosis and adenomyosis, she has lived with daily pain for over 16 years. Recently, she was approved for a hysterectomy, but she faces an additional wait of up to 18 months for the procedure. “My fear is that they’re finally going to get in there and then something horrible is actually going to be wrong,” Ganam said.

Kaplan-Myrth highlights that many women endure unnecessary suffering while waiting for surgeries classified as elective. This situation is compounded by a lack of clear data on how many patients are waiting for surgeries and the types of procedures involved. “If you’re not counted, you don’t count,” Leyland stated, underscoring the need for better tracking of surgical wait times.

In an alarming statistic, the Canadian Cancer Society estimates that by March 2025, around 8,600 women in Canada will be diagnosed with uterine cancer, with approximately 1,700 fatalities expected. Early detection is vital, yet the increased wait times for gynecological surgeries often result in women receiving treatment only after their conditions have advanced.

Systemic Issues and Solutions

Dr. Leyland notes that a significant factor contributing to these delays is the gender pay gap in healthcare. He explained that surgical procedures for men often receive higher reimbursement rates compared to equivalent procedures for women. For instance, in Saskatchewan, a surgeon is compensated about 50% less for treating an ovarian torsion compared to a testicular torsion, despite the former being more complex.

Operating room access is another critical issue. Many hospitals operate on limited schedules, typically from 08:00 to 15:30, with after-hours reserved for emergencies. This time scarcity disproportionately affects gynecologists, who often receive less operating time compared to orthopedic surgeons, whose procedures are prioritized. “Ontario’s priority is hips and knees,” Kaplan-Myrth remarked, emphasizing the need for a more equitable distribution of surgical resources.

In response to these challenges, some healthcare initiatives are emerging. Dr. Jonathan Solnik, involved with a program at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, described a collaborative effort among five hospitals to utilize after-hours operating room time for gynecological procedures. This program aims to match patients with surgeons who have shorter waitlists, thereby streamlining the process.

The Ontario government recently pledged a $125 million expansion to reduce surgical wait times for orthopedic patients, which may also free up operating time for gynecological surgeries. However, concerns remain regarding whether this initiative will adequately address the existing backlogs in women’s healthcare.

Dr. Kaplan-Myrth advocates for a systemic shift in how the healthcare system views women’s health. “It can be life and death,” she stated, stressing that longer wait times lead to complications and lost productivity for women. Many patients, particularly those who are perimenopausal or post-menopausal, are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of taking control of their health, yet the system often fails them.

As the situation continues to unfold, the call for equitable healthcare for women remains urgent. Addressing the disparities in gynecological surgery wait times is not only a matter of health but also one of fairness and justice in medical care.