A woman, a mother of two, diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer is sharing her concerns over the prolonged wait to consult an oncologist, fearing it may have resulted in a loss of crucial time. Data from B.C. Cancer, disclosed to CBC News, indicates that although care wait times are showing improvement, British Columbia is still falling behind other provinces in this regard.
Sara Gillooly, a 40-year-old individual from Port Moody, B.C., is cautious when discussing the survival prospects of her Stage 4 breast cancer to shield her 11-year-old daughter Alina and four-year-old son Taig from anxiety. She emotionally expressed that with metastatic breast cancer, the chances of surviving past five years are reduced to 25%.
Reflecting on the past eight months since discovering a lump in her breast, Gillooly is contemplating whether swifter action could have prevented the cancer from spreading to her bones and lungs. She highlighted her frustration with the delays in the healthcare system, despite acknowledging the dedication of her medical team.
Following the discovery of the lump in May, Gillooly received her breast cancer diagnosis on July 1 and underwent tumor removal surgery on July 28. However, it took an additional two months before she could meet with an oncologist, far exceeding the recommended national benchmark of four weeks. The delay in consultations hindered essential diagnostic tests, including the crucial Oncotype DX test to assess cancer recurrence likelihood.
By early November, tests revealed that her cancer had advanced to her lungs, prompting Gillooly to question whether the delay in treatment initiation could have impacted her prognosis. B.C. Cancer’s data underscores the province’s ongoing struggle to meet the four-week benchmark for new patient consultations with oncologists and radiation therapists.
Dr. Paris-Ann Ingledew, B.C. Cancer’s chief medical officer, emphasized the significance of timely care for cancer patients and acknowledged the distressing reality of extended wait times. Sarah Kooner, president of the Health Sciences Association, highlighted that delays in cancer care are exacerbated by shortages in diagnostic imaging professionals, particularly PET technologists.
Dr. Robert Carruthers, leading the campaign “Every Number is a Story” focusing on healthcare wait times, expressed empathy for Gillooly’s situation, emphasizing the need for expedited cancer diagnoses to prevent adverse outcomes. Despite recent improvements in reducing treatment initiation delays, B.C. Cancer’s radiation therapy wait times remain a concern compared to national averages.
Premier David Eby assured that efforts are underway to enhance healthcare services, including hiring additional medical staff and opening new cancer centers in several regions. Despite these measures, challenges persist in addressing the strain on the healthcare system, underscoring the need for continued improvements to ensure timely and effective cancer care.
