Cancer patient dies waiting for treatment
Last Updated: Friday, March 19, 2004 | 4:43 PM ET
CBC News
The Opposition started the spring legislative session by assailing the government's health care record after it was revealed that a man died before getting treatment for prostate cancer.
Wanda McDonald came to the legislature Friday morning to talk about her dad. Duff McDonald was showing symptoms of prostate cancer last March.
He had to wait six months to see a specialist and before a bone scan could be performed, the 65-year-old checked himself into the hospital and died.
His daughter spoke out because she says her dad trusted the health care system and doesn't want other people to make the same mistake.
"If you go for tests and you don't hear anything back, or if they're not rushing you in, then it can't be that serious," she said describing her father's thinking. "A lot of people make that assumption, that you can live with it, because people do live with prostate cancer."
Brad Wall asked the government why this happened in his question as Opposition leader on Friday.
"Mr. Speaker, Duff MacDonald died waiting. Why?"
The government says it is sorry about the McDonald family's experience, but says most people receive good health care when they need it.
Wanda MacDonald says people have to be more proactive when it comes to health care. She says people shouldn't wait to get results, they should be pushing their doctors to see specialists and come forward to bring attention their cases.
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