Hi there,

Does anyone here have any advice on how to convince your doctor to refer to a radiation oncologist in British Columbia, Canada? My doctor said she doesn't think she can refer me and said she'll refer me to a surgeon. She warned me that there is a long waiting period for the surgeon.

I am at a loss, because it's difficult to find doctors here in the first place, and I know that I cannot get a consult with a radiation oncologist unless my GP agrees to refer me. I have booked a follow-up appt. with my GP next week to ask her to please reconsider.

Does anyone have any advice on this front?

Also - does anyone know if a podiatrist can refer for this?

Thanks,

Sara
PS - edited a couple of times - hoping to hear from anyone who might have suggestions. I am guessing I will give it maybe a month or two of trying to get treatment here, and if that doesn't work, then I'll likely consider going to the US, Germany or the UK for treatment.

Edited 10/20/2024 00:38

Thanks so much SB, I really appreciate it.

I will ask her during my next appt. what the specific reason is - that's very good advice.

She seems to think she needs to refer me to a surgeon. I'd like to see if RT can help my foot, because the surgery sounds like it could potentially aggravate things and it would just come right back again.

Meanwhile, my GP has been excellent with following up with all the tests (x-rays, ultrasound, MRI all done). She's very kind and has been thorough in getting my foot problem diagnosed, so I was surprised when she said, "I don't think I can" when I asked for a referral for RT.

I will try again! I'll bring the list of RO's in BC that have treated this condition, and perhaps that might help. I'll see if I can find a study or two to bring along as well. I don't want to come across as rude or anything like that - she has been great at getting to the bottom of this. She's a new doctor for me, as my previous GP quit her family practice awhile ago. It isn't easy to find a new doctor here, so am very lucky to have her as my GP.

Thanks again,

Sara

Edited 12/15/2024 16:21

spanishbuddha:

---

Hi again

I put the wrong link up for RO's from DART it should have been
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e...ObQW0uRCOv_i1zA

SB
PS have updated the post too

Hi Sara,

for RT you typically have to visit the clinic on 5 consecutive days for treatment, and after a break of 1-2 months. another 5x. It is therefore quite convenient to have the clinic close by. When I got my first RT, I travelled about 100 miles to see an experienced doctor. He diagnosed my hands, agreed that RT makes sense, but refused to treat me because I lived too far away and referred my to a clinic in my home town.

Wolfgang

Happy to report that I have an appt. with the RO next week!

Thank you for the support - it helped so much.

I will be sure to update as things progress.

Edited 11/02/2024 00:24