No delay in chemotherapy and radiotherapy
This combined with the worsening of pathologies due to lack of follow-up and other suicides, a recent study puts at 20,000 cases of excess mortality linked to the pandemic, more than half of which relate to cancer. “It kills an average of 150,000 people per year in France where there are 250,000 healings in parallel, but this has resulted in an increase of 6% in the number of deaths in 2020”, figures Doctor Alain Monnier.
But the committee chairman of the League against cancer of the country of Montbéliard, the most important France in terms of members in terms of the population, however perceives a specificity of Nord Franche-Comté. “Unlike many other places, there was no impact here in 2020 on the care of diagnosed patients. It is true that we have observed postponements of operations, but they could wait. No delay, on the other hand in chemotherapy and radiotherapy ”. The explanation lies in the existence of structures outside the Trévenans hospital, such as the Mittan site in Montbéliard. “This has resulted in not switching staff from one service to another and we see there all the interest of individualized entities”, continues the oncologist, who nevertheless underlines the increase in absenteeism, of which the level is now higher than last spring.
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Decrease in the number of members
Do not believe, however, that the pandemic does not produce its harmful effects on the action taken by the forces of the country of Montbéliard, whose committee is among the three in France (out of 103) working with volunteers (with Besançon) and Colmar). “This reduces costs, especially in mailing or marketing costs.” Result: out of 100 € of donations, 98% are invested in specific actions, against 60% in the best cases.
But now, the lack of presence on the ground, has led to a drop in the number of members (from 15,000 to 11,500 between 2019 and 2020). As well as that of donors (approximately 16,000 to 12,000 during the same period). “However, as elsewhere, we see an increase in the average donation.” From 25/30 € to 30/35 €.
“We continue to move forward”
The fact remains that the observation is there: the committee’s budget fell by around 20% between 2019 and 2020, from 750,000 to 600,000 €. “But we continue to move forward”. With the continuation, in particular, of the financing of the surgical robot equipping the hospital since 2018. But Alain Monnier, does not hide it, “it is always more complicated with each confinement”.
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