'This is life or death': P.E.I. losing two oncologists

A husband and wife in West Covehead, P.E.I. — both with cancer — worry the province doesn't have enough oncologists, and that care for patients will suffer as a result.

P.E.I. will lose two more oncologists at the end of the month.

George, short for Georgina, and Robert Crosby both have cancer.

They recently learned George's medical oncologist, Dr. Grant Schofield would be leaving, leading them to speak out.

Officials with Health PEI confirmed the province is losing one medical oncologist as well as one radiation oncologist at the end of the month. Another medical oncologist also left earlier in the year.

"The government should be doing more to attract doctors to the Island," said Robert Crosby. 

Health PEI working to recruit

P.E.I. is supposed to have three full time medical oncologists and two full time radiation oncologists.

Health PEI said although oncologist numbers are down, other supports are available to patients.

A radiation oncologist in training, also referred to as an oncology fellow, is at the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre. A nurse practitioner is also on staff. 

The province also said other family doctors outside the centre have specialized cancer training, and a new medical oncologist has been recruited for the summer of 2017.

"We appreciate that a cancer diagnosis is difficult and often overwhelming. We also understand how important it is to be able to access care," said Dr. Tom Dorran, executive director of medical affairs.

"Health PEI is working diligently with the recruitment and retention secretariat to recruit to the upcoming vacancy in medical and radiation oncology."

'It's agonizing'

The Crosbys are at the P.E.I Cancer Treatment Centre almost every week. 

"We need more help here. If you ever go into oncology, it's just packed, our medical doctors, the staffing is being depleted," said George.

"It's agonizing it truly is … you want to know what's happening," she said. "This is life or death treatments." 

She worries with fewer doctors, patients will face longer waits.

She has been getting a chemotherapy-like treatment with an experimental drug, and recently had her last appointment with Dr. Schofield to deal with her cancer of the lymph nodes.

Robert Crosby has had multiple surgeries and is now dealing with cancer in his lungs. His doctor — Dr. Philip Champion — will soon be the lone medical oncologist.

"I haven't really had to wait a long time for Dr. Schofield, but my husband has waited an hour and hour and a half, once even two and a half hours to see Dr. Champion," she said.

"He's a busy man as it is, and as a result he's going to be even busier," said Robert Crosby. "He may know a lot about oncology, but he can't do everything," he said.

Cancer Society concerned

The Canadian Cancer Society in P.E.I. is also worried about the impact losing the two doctors will have on wait times for treatments and for diagnosis.

The Society also worries it will mean more travel for affected families.

"We could only assume that there will be a need for more Islanders in the short term to get some treatment off-Island," said executive director Marlene Mulligan/

"We would be concerned that there's always increased costs attached to that, for transportation and accommodation and again the disruption to family."

Living day by day

George Crosby believes everyone is stretched thin because of the doctor shortage. 

"I just think when you only have a certain length of time that it should be quality," she said.

George Crosby said they try to just live day by day, The couple is looking forward to an early Christmas trip with their family in Toronto.

"I wish I could throw a doctor in my suitcase and bring him back." 

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