A B.C. guy who was diagnosed with prostate most cancers in 2017 is heading out of province to receive what he hopes will be his last treatments.
Surrey resident Dan McMurdo, 69, has been battling prostate cancer for more than 6 many years.
He claimed the prostate most cancers treatment method program with B.C. is flawed as he was introduced with only two possibilities by professional medical professionals. He possibly experienced to pick out to get his prostate eliminated or to get entire radiation cure.
“They say all the correct things on the news and I’ve heard the well being minister convey it up over and around all over again indicating ‘we are accomplishing this and we are accomplishing that.’” McMurdo explained to Worldwide News.
“It’s not becoming finished. There is no way I really should have to go to (Ontario) to get an MRI. They can do an MRI (there) with a utmost wait time of 1 month and the exact same for a biopsy — it could be a calendar year just before I get a biopsy (below).”
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McMurdo explained right after accomplishing some investigate, he determined not to choose possibly remedy option presented in B.C. — he reported the facet consequences of either solution have been not some thing he wished to go by.
He then observed an choice cure named superior-depth focal ultrasound therapy, or HIFU for short.
“Basically, what they do is they use a sonablate device and a large-intensity beam of mild targets the tumour,” he explained.
Regretably, HIFU treatment method for McMurdo was not lined by B.C. medical. He paid out of pocket and had it performed in Toronto in 2020.
The severity of prostate cancer is tracked by medical doctors by means of a blood check referred to as Prostate-Unique Antigen take a look at or PSA for small.
McMurdo said ahead of he begun his HIFU therapy, his PSA amount was all over 10.6.
Soon after 3 months of HIFU treatment method, he said his PSA dropped to 2.9 — a drastic improvement.
HIFU procedure is extremely highly-priced, and McMurdo mentioned he paid a lot more than $20,000 for the strategies.
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Quickly ahead to 2023, and McMurdo reported his PSA stages are steadily climbing once more. He will need to have to go to Ottawa to receive Stereotactic System Radiation Treatment to address his growing amounts.
“With most cancers, you can’t wait on it,” McMurdo said. “You have to act on it, you have to uncover out from the MRI and biopsy.”
On Wednesday, Global News requested wellness minister Adrian Dix for remark.
“We do present considerable therapy for prostate cancer in this article. Our researchers and groups at BC Cancer are leaders in Canada in phrases of prostate cancer investigate. They are usually hunting for new strategies to stay clear of side outcomes and to present improved care.
“I can not discuss about the precise case. It may well be the client would like remedy they aren’t delivering, but BC Most cancers provides fantastic treatment and that’s what we are heading to go on to offer.”
According to the B.C. Wellbeing Ministry, 90 for each cent of prostate surgical procedures are completed in just 27 weeks.
BC Cancer referred to Adrian Dix’s comments when requested for an job interview but also did answer with an emailed assertion.
“BC Most cancers is fully commited to offering sufferers entry to timely, significant-top quality and human being-centered most cancers treatment,” staff mentioned.
“We do not publicly discuss the particular information of personal conditions owing to client privacy, even so, our medical employees often function with people to focus on all out there treatment method selections and create a care prepare having into account individual needs and preferences.”
Murdo, even so, refutes the notion that B.C. is supplying fantastic care for prostate sufferers. He explained he believes HIFU should really be an choice for British Columbians.
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