Popular Searches
Breast Cancer Surgery Wait Times in Ontario (2024)
Prostate Cancer Surgery Wait Times in Ontario (2024)
CT Scan Wait Times in Alberta (2024)

Prostate Cancer Surgery Wait Times in Ontario (2024)

Find hospitals with the shortest prostate cancer surgery wait times in Ontario. Each hospital has been ranked — so you can make informed decisions.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Prostate cancer treatment in Ontario involves a comprehensive approach tailored to the individual's condition, including the cancer's stage, the patient's age, overall health, and personal preferences. This treatment can range from active surveillance for low-risk, slow-growing cancers to surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these for more advanced cases. The goal is to effectively manage or eradicate the cancer while minimizing side effects and maintaining quality of life.

The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) covers the cost of standard prostate cancer treatments, ensuring that patients have access to necessary care without the financial burden. However, patients might face waiting times for certain treatments due to the demand for healthcare services. Additionally, while OHIP covers many aspects of prostate cancer treatment, some newer or more advanced treatment options might not be fully covered, potentially leading to out-of-pocket expenses for patients.

Patients diagnosed with prostate cancer in Ontario typically undergo a detailed assessment to determine the most appropriate treatment plan. This process includes consultations with a team of healthcare professionals, such as urologists, oncologists, and radiation therapists, who work together to develop a personalized treatment strategy. This strategy considers the cancer's characteristics, the potential benefits and risks of treatment options, and the patient's personal values and preferences.

Treatment for prostate cancer might include surgery, such as a prostatectomy, which involves the removal of the prostate gland and, in some cases, surrounding tissues. Other options include radiation therapy, which uses high-energy rays to target and kill cancer cells, and hormone therapy, aimed at reducing the body's production of testosterone, which can fuel the growth of prostate cancer cells. Advanced or metastatic prostate cancer may require chemotherapy or targeted therapy.

Post-treatment care in Ontario focuses on monitoring for signs of cancer recurrence, managing side effects of treatment, and supporting the patient's overall health and well-being. This includes regular follow-up appointments, PSA (prostate-specific antigen) tests to monitor cancer activity, and access to support services such as counseling and rehabilitation.

Ontario hospitals with shortest prostate cancer surgery wait times

Below are five top hospitals in Ontario which have the shortest prostate cancer surgery wait times:

  • 🥇  North York General Hospital - General Site: This hospital secures the top spot with the shortest wait times for prostate cancer surgeries in Ontario, boasting 100% of patients receiving their much-needed treatment within the established target time.
  • 🥉  Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre: Ranking third, this hospital offers an average wait time of 7 weeks. However, only half of patients receive their surgeries within the established target time.
  • St. Michael's Hospital: This hospital ranks fifth in the list of facilities with short wait times for prostate cancer surgeries. 45% of patients receive their surgeries within the established target time.

Ontario hospitals with longest prostate cancer surgery wait times

Below are five top hospitals in Ontario which have the longest prostate cancer surgery wait times:

  • Lakeridge Health - Oshawa Site: This hospital reports the longest wait times for prostate cancer surgery in Ontario. Unfortunately, only 6% of patients receive treatment within the established target time.
  • Grey Bruce Health Services - Owen Sound: This hospital secures the third position in wait times, with only 25% of patients receiving treatment within the target time. Average total wait time is 11 weeks.
  • London Health Sciences Centre - Victoria Hospital: This hospital ranks fifth for the longest wait times in Ontario for prostate cancer surgery, with 34% of patients receiving treatment within the target time. Average total wait time is 17 weeks.

How to interpret wait times

Emergency cases (Priority 1) receive immediate attention and are not included in wait time data. Priority 1 patients are those who face a life-threatening situation if the surgery is not performed immediately.

Surgeons, specialists, and healthcare administrators establish priority levels 2, 3, and 4, along with target times, using clinical evidence to guide treatment decisions and enhance patient access and outcomes.

For the above chart, we display total wait times for Priority 4 patients because data for priority levels 2 and 3 is generally incomplete.

For surgery wait times, two wait periods are assessed:

  • Time to the patient’s first surgical or specialist appointment: This measures the duration from the moment a surgeon, specialist, or central intake office receives the referral from the patient’s family doctor to the patient’s initial surgical or specialist appointment.
  • Time from the decision for the surgery or procedure to its actual completion: This tracks the time from when the patient and surgeon jointly decide to proceed with the surgery to the surgery’s actual execution.

Data also excludes patients who did not proceed with the surgery or procedure after their initial consultation with a specialist.

Learn wait times for other medical procedures in Ontario:

You cannot copy content of this page