Cancer Care Ontario’s admirable intention to screen people for colon cancer suffered a setback where Canada Post lost reports of close to 12000 patients. The report the screening process was sent to family physicians from all over the country. However, close to 6500 reports have been lost and another 4500 are being sorted out by the confused postal department.

While there are no serious privacy issues involved, that private medical data has been lost is generating concern among the officials regulating health care in the country. There is criticism that such an old-fashioned approach was a used to send reports to the family Physicians. A single USB drive would have sufficed to compile all the reports. In such a scenario, reliance on old-fashioned methods has raised eyebrows. Even a compact disc would have sufficed for the purpose but the organization decided to going for paper reports which not only increased the risk but also enhanced the cost.

The blame seems to be completely on the part of the postal service as authorities have appreciated the efforts of Cancer Care Ontario to distribute the information to a large number of medical experts.

The organization has spent close to $45000 for the postal service. It represents a significant loss of reputation and credibility for the postal organization. It also represents a significant economic loss for the organization that has spent so much time compiling the information that may help track instances of colon cancer faster. The fact that the mishap comes in the backdrop of the recent strike makes it even more embarrassing for Canada Post.