Patients Suffer from Lack of Leadership on Gyne Cancer Issues

M E D I A R E L E A S E PATIENTS SUFFER FROM LACK OF LEADERSHIP ON GYNE ONCOLOGY ISSUES For Immediate Release REGINA, April 13, 2010 - Patients in attendance at the Legislative Assembly hoping to hear the Minister of Health demonstrate leadership on the issue of retention of specialists were gravely disappointed. Although suffering from cancer and treatments, they have been steadfast in calling for the Ministry of Health to use his leadership to come up with solutions. Rather, the royal run around so evident in his answer to Ms. Junor, Health Critic, Official Opposition in the Legislative Assembly on Monday was sadly familiar to the group known as OCATS (Ovarian Cancer Awareness & Treatment in Saskatchewan). Patients are not disappointed with Dr. Brydon, rather they are impressed with her willingness to put patients’ needs first. Dr. Brydon has seen the shortfalls and has advised all the authorities. No one has acted on it. Disappointment has been crushing though as this group of patients, many of who are in treatment or recovery of ovarian cancer (only a 20% survival rate, many patients dying within months of diagnosis) have asked for very little in fact. Darlene Gray, a director with OCATS, said, “Money is and is not the answer. The amount of funding required up front for a gynecologic oncology unit providing office space and appropriate nursing support would be so little and would save so much. The financial savings to the government in terms of 2nd line chemo which is extremely expensive is a good investment in our budget, but also in terms of Saskatchewan women’s lives saved. Not to mention the increased awareness.” Gray explained that when women are diagnosed earlier and have successful surgeries performed by gynecologic oncologists the chances of remission are higher, and the need for pricey 2nd line chemotherapy is reduced. Gray also asked, “Why is the Minister of Health continually referring questions on the issue of retention of gyne cancer specialists to a Working Group he is responsible for establishing, and then in the same breath warning us not to expect this same Working Group to deal with these specific issues? It’s confusing, frustrating, demoralizing, we have to wonder if that is the goal: take a bunch of cancer patients who are ill, exhausted, at risk of dying but who are vocal and crush them emotionally, intellectually and physically.” Gray cites how last week Ms. Jordan of SaskHealth stated her preference is to refer patients now to gynecologists/obstetricians (baby doctors) for these high-risk surgeries requiring skill and experience with cancer, saying “this puts Saskatchewan women’s lives at risk and everyone knows it.” If the Health Region doesn’t take care of the problem what will the Minister of Health do about it? Essentially it’s his baby. Make no mistake, the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, the Sask Cancer Agency and the Ministry responsible is failing the women of Saskatchewan. For more information contact Darlene Gray at 775-1848, cell 529-3199, email darlenegray@sasktel.net . # # #