Whistleblower MD returns to Fort Chipewyan
Last Updated: Thursday, August 16, 2007 | 5:06 PM CT
CBC News
The doctor who blew the whistle on what he says are high cancer rates in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, visited the oilsands hamlet this week with a promise he would continue to fight for a health study in the community.
Dr. John O'Connor, who recently moved to Nova Scotia after seven years in Fort Chipewyan, arrived on Wednesday to visit with patients in the small community, located nearly 600 kilometres northeast of Edmonton.
The embattled doctor sparked controversy last year when he told the media about what he believed to be disproportionately high rates of colon, liver, blood and bile-duct cancers.
He noted in particular the high rate of bile-duct cancer, which had killed three people in the community. This type of cancer normally affects one in 100,000 people. He said he had also observed an unusually high rate of thyroid problems and other immune-related diseases.
In February, Health Canada officials filed a complaint against O'Connor with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, accusing him of causing undue alarm.
Debby Sandberg, a nurse practitioner in Fort Chipewyan, said the College made the right decision because O'Connor did the right thing when he publicized the cancer rates.
"We do see a higher rate of rare cancers. Let's not blame it on a change in our lifestyle, 'cause you know what? Our lifestyle isn't different than anyone else's," she said.
George Poitras, who attended the rally, said he is still angry about the way Health Canada responded to O'Connor's concerns.
"You're supposed to be managing indigenous health care. What did you do when our own doc raised questions about our people who are dying? You lodge a complaint," he said.
O'Connor told the group that he was still working to publicize the issue and trying to convince Alberta health officials to conduct a comprehensive health study in the community.
"I think we have to firmly stick together and push this issue in the direction it needs to go," he said. "We need to make sure the people in a position to make things happen see the light."
He has a meeting with the officials about a study on Friday.
