Advances in medical science have led to an increased demand for stem cell transplants, leaving patients to face lengthy wait times.
Dr. Ralph Meyer, regional vice-president of Cancer Care Ontario, says technological improvements and advances in medicine mean that many more patients are now eligible, and finding matches is easier than ever, meaning more patients can opt for a transplant.
As well, improved technology has made the transplant procedure safer for older patients, Meyer said.
"It used to be previously limited by age, which was a major factor in the safety of the procedure. And with it becoming safer, more people can benefit," he told CTV's Canada AM on Wednesday.
"The number of diseases that can be managed with stem cell transplantation and the number of patients that can benefit has increased considerably, particularly over the last five years."
Stem cells are used to treat more than 80 different diseases and disorders, including several different types of blood cancers.
According to Canadian Blood Services, the demand for life-saving stem cell transplants has tripled over the past five years.
Laura Hillier is one patient who may benefit from a stem cell transplant. The 18-year-old has been battling acute myeloid leukemia for years, but recently learned that there are multiple matching donors for her to have a transplant.
However, because of the wait list to have the transplant, Hillier will have to undergo chemotherapy treatments in the interim.
Hillier told CTV's Canada AM on Tuesday, that there are risks associated with the chemotherapy. "They said some people relapse in the wait, so they get cancer again, some people die," she said.
"Some people get infections, and either succumb to the infections or have permanent damage while waiting."
Meyer said when a patient meets the criteria for a stem cell transplant, the procedure should ideally take place within one to two months.
He said the solution to meeting the increased demand requires action on multiple levels.
Hospitals must identify patients who best benefit from a transplant, and must review resources to see where care can be provided on an outpatient basis.
At the provincial level, there's an ongoing need to review how the various treatment centres work together. There's also a need to look at how many doctors and nurses are being trained to provide the specialized care, and if more facilities need to be built, he said.
"We feel for all of the patients, and each and every one of them we want to provide the best care for," Meyer said.
Ontario Health Minister Dr. Eric Hoskins declined an interview request with CTV's Canada AM.
However, in a statement to CTV News, a spokesperson from his office said the minister recognizes the growing demand for stem cell transplants.
"It is our expectation that hospitals will prioritize patients based on medical urgency, however those decisions are made by each individual hospital," spokesperson Shae Greenfield said.
In June, Ontario announced it would be investing $25 million in stem cell research over the next five years. The funding was first announced in the 2015 budget.
