A mother of two children diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer is sharing her concerns about the extended wait times to see an oncologist, which she believes may have impacted her treatment progress. Recent data from B.C. Cancer indicates that despite some improvements, British Columbia still falls behind other provinces in addressing care delays.
Sara Gillooly, a 40-year-old resident of Port Moody, B.C., is cautious when discussing her Stage 4 breast cancer prognosis to shield her young children from distressing information. Reflecting on the past eight months since discovering a lump in her breast, Gillooly wonders if swifter action could have prevented the cancer from spreading to her bones and lungs.
Expressing frustration with the prolonged wait times, Gillooly emphasizes the importance of timely medical attention. Following her breast lump detection in May, Gillooly received a breast cancer diagnosis on July 1 and underwent tumor removal surgery on July 28. However, it took an additional two months before she met with an oncologist, surpassing the national standard of a four-week wait period.
The delayed consultation hindered essential diagnostic tests, including an Oncotype DX test, crucial for predicting cancer recurrence, leading to a high likelihood of cancer resurgence upon receiving the results. By early November, further tests revealed cancer metastasis to Gillooly’s lungs, prompting her to question the impact of the extended waiting period on her condition.
B.C. Cancer’s data highlights the province’s struggle to meet the four-week benchmark for patients to consult with oncologists promptly. Only 63% of new patients met this timeline for medical oncologist visits, with an even lower rate of 51% for radiation oncologist consultations within four weeks.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by patients like Gillooly, Dr. Robert Carruthers, president of the Consultant Specialists of B.C., emphasizes the widespread impact of delays in cancer diagnosis due to specialist shortages. While efforts have been made to address these issues, Premier David Eby stresses the ongoing strain on the healthcare system, despite recent improvements and expansions in medical staff and facilities.
B.C. Cancer reports progress in reducing wait times for commencing cancer treatment, with over 90% of new patients now starting radiation therapy within four weeks. Despite these advancements, the province continues to grapple with extended wait times for radiation treatment compared to national averages, prompting a call for sustained efforts to enhance healthcare accessibility and efficiency.