Katie Henderson: Breast cancer patient reveals shocking delays

A breast cancer survivor has to fly to Victoria for tests to avoid a four-month delay following the shock closure of a critical service in Far North Queensland.

Breast cancer survivor Katie Henderson has decided to travel to Melbourne at her own expense next month for follow up scans, rather than wait four months to receive the same scans in Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

A breast cancer survivor has to fly to Victoria for tests to avoid a four-month delay following the shock closure of a critical service in Far North Queensland.

Cairns woman Katie Henderson, 45, was diagnosed with breast cancer at 35 but is now awaiting further scans after her specialist found another lump in December last year.

Despite her history she was told by a radiologist facility in Cairns the earliest available appointment was in April.

“I can’t wait that long,” Ms Henderson said.

“If that lump turns out to be something serious, three to four months could be the difference between life and death.”

She instead decided to travel to Ballarat, 120km from Melbourne.

Breast cancer survivor, Katie Henderson, recalls being almost halfway through chemo when her body wasn’t coping with the strength of the chemotherapy medicine. She marked her last day of chemotherapy with a poster and support of her family. Picture: Katie Henderson.

“When I called I-MED for an appointment, I was told the first available slot was four months away. It didn’t seem to matter what my cancer history was,” she said.

Ms Henderson was first diagnosed in January 2015 and finished chemotherapy eight months later, followed by 25 radiation treatments.

At the time, she was living in Ballarat, Victoria, where she was treated at Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre and met Dr Stephen Brown, who has continued to be her oncologist despite her relocation to Far North Queensland.

The first five years after her diagnosis involved frequent check-ups, but after moving to Cairns for work, Ms Henderson now finds herself facing long delays for these essential screenings.

Katie Henderson with her Dad Terry. Ms Henderson said she is blessed to have the unwavering love and support from her family. Picture: Katie Henderson.

“Every woman deserves the chance to catch their cancer early. It could save their life,” she said.

Previously, women in the region faced wait times of six weeks for mammograms but now those waits have ballooned to three to four months, exacerbated by the closure of Queensland X-Ray.

I-MED Radiology is now the only facility offering diagnostic breast cancer screenings in the region and are required to service a vast catchment from Cairns to the Cape.

BreastScreen Cairns - which offers free screening to women 40 years and older without symptoms - is operating as usual.

Ms Henderson is concerned for women who may not be able to afford the costs involved with the diagnostic cancer tests.

“For those without private health insurance, the cost of medical care many patients simply cannot afford,” she said.

“Scans, ultrasounds and mammograms can exceed $800”

“It’s frustrating to think that I might have to wait months for reassurance, with the added pressure of paying hundreds of dollars for a scan.

Breast cancer survivor Katie Henderson travels to Melbourne at her own expense for follow up scans, rather than wait four months to receive the same scans in Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I’ve been through enough already. I shouldn’t have to fly to Melbourne for a scan just because there’s a wait time here. I live in Cairns, and I should be able to access my care here.”

The extensive wait times forced the mother of two to arrange tests and a follow up oncologist appointments in Ballarat.

“Not knowing if that lump is cancerous and waiting months for an answer — that kind of anxiety is exhausting,” she said.

In Victoria she was able to secure appointments in as little as three weeks time.

“I have an ultrasound, mammogram, and CT scan all booked for early February and flights are about $400 all up,” she said.

“It’s a lot cheaper then scans here.”

“My mum Lee, dad Terry, daughter Elle and son Lucas gave me the strength and courage I needed to get through this,” Katie Henderson. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Henderson is speaking out to hopefully change the situation for other women.

She believes the state and federal governments must step into help to prevent delays and offer bulk billing for tests.

“It’s hard enough dealing with cancer, but when you have to fight the system, it feels even harder,” she said.

“I’m lucky to have a supportive family, but not everyone is in that position. People shouldn’t have to go to extremes to access the care they need. We need more options, and we need them now.”

In a statement, I-MED said wait times vary depending on increased demand, staffing levels, and available resources.

“We do everything possible to minimise wait times for our patients and will continue to support urgent care needs,” a spokeswoman for I-MED said.

Queensland X-Ray was also contacted for comment but did not respond.

Previously, a spokesman said it had suspended its Cairns service “until we can recruit at least one permanent doctor in Cairns”.

Originally published as Katie Henderson: Breast cancer patient reveals shocking delays