1.The fact is, we do have a two tier medical care system in Ontario and most other provinces. The proof of my assertion is that today, as I write this text, there are several legally constituted organizations in Toronto who, for a fee will “fast track” you through the medical system and get you earlier tests and diagnoses than most Canadians will get. These organizations employ Canadian physicians who are getting a fee for a service.

2.Not only do we have a two tier system, there is also a way for people to make their medical expenses 100% tax deductible through a corporation. This is routinely done for highly paid executives by the large corporations who employ them. The good news is that private individuals can create the same status for themselves. The bottom line is that people who have enough money and know-how can “jump the queue,” and get “fast track” medical services. It may not be fair, but it is a fact.

3.Millions are raised for cancer, but the majority of monies goes to research and little to patient care. Research is vital but not when it becomes a money making industry. Check government web site: www.cra.gc.ca./donors before giving money away. How much does really go to benefit patient care, those who are suffering now? The Princess Margaret Weekend To End Breast Cancer was posted with latest information Sept. 9-11, 2005. 4889 walkers raised 16 million dollars with $12 millions in net proceeds. In 2007/8, 67.4%were allotted to research, 9.5% to Patient Care and Education. Administration was 10%.And how much of the research monies goes to profit making drug corporations?

4.We are told we need more research but the fact is that most Canadians can’t afford and may never even know about the drugs that are available. For instance, most Canadian chemotherapy patients are usually given a cheaper form of chemo called FEC, which often causes heart problems within ten years. It is the cheapest form of chemo and costs approximately $84 a cycle. The chemo I got, costs $2400 per cycle and I had to insist on getting it before my oncologist would request it. Yes, it requires a special request and will not be given until the government says so. Fortunately, I had the authority of the Mayo Clinic, one of the world’s best known cancer research centres to back up my request. I had been treated there rather than in Canada because the Canadian hospital in Toronto missed three tumours and for over a year my doctors here said I was fine. It was only when I insisted that I be given a biopsy that my true condition became known.

5.Neuprogen and Neulasta are very expensive drugs which boost the white blood cell count during chemo therapy and can prevent a host of infectious diseases. THESE LIFE-SAVING DRUGS ARE NOT COVERED BY CANADIAN HEALTH CARE AND MAY BE ONLY PARTIALLY COVERED BY SOME PRIVATE HEALTH CARE POLICIES. THEY EACH COST APPROXIMATELY $1000-$3000 per chemo cycle. So the bottom line about drug research is this: What good is research if it produces drugs that only a privileged few can afford, and that many will never even know about?

6.Tamoxifen is a widely prescribed chemo drug given for hormone receptor positive breast cancer. Unfortunately, in Canada, we are not told that 20% of women will not be able to metabolize the drug and so may develop new tumours, all the while thinking they are protected. The ability to metabolize Tamoxifen can be checked with a simple blood test costing $55--a test which is neither offered nor even available within the Canadian health care system! At world-class cancer centres, like the Mayo Clinic, the test is considered routine and is given to all patients. Is it ethical that millions are being raised with walks, raffles and games when this simple, inexpensive test is not available within our system? (The test I am writing about here is for the CYP2D6 enzyme.) Anyone going on Tamoxifen should have this test and should be told which kinds of medicines and foods may further inhibit the effects of Tamoxifen.

7.Cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy often encounter complications requiring medical attention. Does your cancer hospital have an ER to deal with such emergencies? The Princess Margaret in Toronto, so active in running raffles for dream homes, has no ER. When I couldn’t breathe because of medication I had been given, I had to go to a local ER which did not have any of my records and did not have staff experienced in treating cancer patients. My oncologist at the Princess Margaret was not available by phone and I had to use my own medical knowledge to guess at how to put an end to my inability to breathe.

8.Mammograms are not diagnostically accurate for certain forms of breast cancer. MRIs must be used to detect these otherwise invisible killers. Average waiting time for MRIs in Canada is three months on average or longer. I have had four friends ravaged by this horrible illness, and all should have had earlier diagnosis and treatment. The Breast Clinic at St. Michael’s Hospital completely missed three of my breast tumours. They never even proposed an MRI.

9.Waiting periods in Canada are so long that when one gets a needed referral to a specialist, or even an appointment with a family physician, the medical condition may become chronic or terminal. Time is of the essence with this killer. I was shocked to learn that 95% of the international patients at the Mayo Clinic were Canadians.

10.Critical illness Insurance policies are sold as a back up to use for out of country care as well as the private corporations to help you get through the health care maze. These products, I think, are better than an RRSP because at least you might have a chance to see seventy years of age.

11.Women in Canada are not always given the survival rate based on prognostic factors including type of breast cancer and grade of cancer. Therefore, those women lack a sound basis on which to make their treatment decisions.

12.This is not just about cancer, but in my journey and through those individuals I have met, I’ve become convinced as a medical professional and as a patient that we must create CHANGE in our health care system. We must have more humaneness, greater accountability and more timely and accurate treatment. We mustn’t wait for change. We must be its authors.

I was born in Canada and as a Canadian I was told that I would have access to universal health care. This is not the case. Any treatment sought outside the province without prior approval , despite misdiagnosis or late diagnosis as in my case will not be covered by OHIP. They require permission BEFORE the fact. In my own case I applied for $6000 out of the $70,000 I spent to cover the unexpected surgery of my left breast. The paperwork and bureaucratic red tape is overwhelming for a well person, never mind one fighting for her life. I felt betrayed and disappointed by our system and saddened for all people who have had to deal with the mess our medical system has become. With my professional health care training and former experience as a medical appointment for a government tribunal, I have more knowledge than the average person lay person. Yet, one is led to believe that the government is on your side. I found it to be an enemy armed with excuses . DISCLAIMER; My experience and my conclusions are mine and mine alone. Others may have different experiences. I certainly hope so.

Before I got sick I thought every Canadian had fair access. I was wrong. The one promise I made to myself when I was sick was to inform other Canadians of my story. This web site and the petition link below are here so each person can stand up and tell our so-called “public servants” and “medical professionals” that they are accountable for our health care, and that Canadians no longer believe the lie of universal health care in our country. Instead, we must insist that the current half truths propagated by politicians and others become fully realized in fact.

Petition to get better healthcare

for Canadians click below

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