N.L. cancer docs say resignations heartbreaking

Three gynecologic oncologists who tendered their resignations over a dispute with the Newfoundland and Labrador government said Thursday that it was a heartbreaking decision, but they hope it will result in better care for patients.

Doctors Cathy Popadiuk, Lesa Dawson and Patti Power, the only specialists in the province treating female patients with cancers of the reproductive system, said they intend to leave in October. Power said she has been warning about problems with cancer care in Newfoundland and Labrador for years.

"If your mother was diagnosed with an ovarian cancer in Newfoundland, she would not receive the same treatment in Newfoundland as she would in Ontario or B.C. or any of the other Canadian provinces," she said.

Power said the situation came to a head after the oncologists wrote a report last spring outlining what they called a crisis, including inadequate equipment and resources. After a meeting with government officials, they felt like they had hit a brick wall, and tendered their resignations.

"It was an extremely difficult decision. You know, you never want to abandon patients," she said.

Health Minister Ross Wiseman said Wednesday that Newfoundland and Labrador will recruit new gynecologic oncologists if Popadiuk, Dawson and Power leave. If new doctors can't be found, he said cancer patients will be sent out of the province for care, a decision Power finds unacceptable.

"I find that to be very distressing. These patients are not physically or emotionally well enough to travel out of province. It's a huge life disruption for them. it would be very stressful. They've suffered enough," she said.

Michelle Murdoch, a member of the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women, called on the government to fix the problem.

"It just doesn't make sense, I think it's important that we do everything we can to keep them in this province," she said.