Short-term reprieve for N.L. gynecologic cancer patients

Newfoundland and Labrador's three oncologists who treat gynecological cancers have agreed to stay in the province until December, although one has cast doubts about talks to prevent their departure.

The specialistsLesa Dawson, Cathy Popadiuk and Patti Power served notice this summerthey would resign Oct. 7 if measures were not taken to improve the services they can provide to their patients.

Attending a fundraising walk for ovarian cancer patients in St. John's on Sunday, Popadiuk said the doctors have now agreed to continue treating patients until Dec. 15, in part because it has taken longer than expected to put together a database of patients needing to be notified.

"To be fair to the patients that we currently have, we want to give them three months notice personally, in a letter, so that's why we extended the time before we resign," Popadiuk said.

Popadiuk and her colleagues have argued that they do not have the resources and supports needed to give their thousands of patients the same standard of care they would receive elsewhere in the country.

The three gynecologic oncologists are also paid less than colleagues across Canada, and significantly less than other oncologists in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Popadiuk said Eastern Health, the regional authority that employs all of them, is addressing some of their concerns, although she added that some key questions have not yet been addressed. She said it is really up to Premier Danny Williams and Health Minister Ross Wiseman to find a solution.

"We just haven't heard anything from the decision-makers who tell [officials at Eastern Health and] the Department of Health and Community Services what to do," Popadiuk said.,

Meanwhile, the gynecologic oncologists will stop taking new patients after Sept. 16.

Wiseman sparked a controversy in July when he said the government was prepared, if necessary, to fly cancer patients to other jurisdictions for treatment.

Bette Winsor, who was diagnosed three years ago with ovarian cancer and was one of about 100 people who gathered in a St. John's park for Sunday's fundraiser, said she will need to see an oncologist for years to come.

"I feel very depressed about it, because my care won't be the same. My family doctor is a wonderful doctor, but she's not an oncologist," Winsor said.

"Where will I go if I get sick again?"