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B.C. Cancer Patient's Delayed Metastatic Diagnosis Prompts Premier's Pledge to Review Care

Premier David Eby has pledged a case review to identify any gaps in her care.

Overview

  • Sara Gillooly, 40, told reporters it took more than two months to see an oncologist, and later CT, PET and MRI scans revealed her breast cancer had spread to her lungs and bones.
  • She said she was initially labeled low priority after surgery showed clear margins and that requests for a Ki-67 test and advanced imaging were denied as unnecessary.
  • Speaking at a Victoria news conference, she urged action on wait times and said she sought advice abroad, including from a hospital in Türkiye and the Mayo Clinic in the United States.
  • BC Cancer issued a statement expressing empathy and citing privacy limits, with its chief medical officer saying any wait is too long for someone with cancer.
  • Premier David Eby pointed to recent investments but promised to review her case to find gaps, as the government highlights added staff, higher appointment volumes and new cancer centres planned by 2030.