Cancer sufferer demands answers

An Ashburton woman diagnosed with bowel cancer after being denied a colonoscopy for 18 months wants to make sure others do not suffer her fate.

Fiona Cullen, 39, has had no explanation from the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) about why it took so long to receive the care she needed.

This week, while staying in Christchurch to receive chemotherapy and radiation treatment, Cullen delivered a letter to the CDHB seeking answers.

Despite having classic symptoms of bowel cancer for 18 months, including bleeding from the bowel, referrals from two GPS for a colonoscopy to diagnose and treat cancerous polyps were turned down.

The second time a referral was turned down Cullen was pregnant, had rectal bleeding, anaemia, unexplained weight loss and tiredness.

Only when her GP and obstetrician continued to advocate for her was a colonoscopy finally granted.

By then a tumour had developed and an MRI scan showed signs the cancer may have spread to her lungs.

Her baby Morgan, now 10 weeks old, was delivered early so that Cullen could begin chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

Instead of an apology, Cullen has asked for an acknowledgement that the process for colonoscopy referrals is not working.

‘‘At this stage I am not looking for an apology or a meeting, it is too late for that and it will not help me in my situation . . .

‘‘What I do want is for the CDHB to acknowledge that their referral acceptance system is not working, in fact it is obviously inadequate to provide the services they claim they will make available to the public,’’ she said.

‘‘I would also like to find out how the national guidelines and clinical pathways can be changed so this does not happen to anyone else.

‘‘This in turn will help me by providing a positive outcome to this situation, where no-one else is prevented from getting seen because of their age.’’

Cullen asked to know why her referrals by two GPS were rejected when she had clear signs of bowel cancer.

CDHB acting chief medical officer Richard French said it would not comment on Cullen’s case at this stage.

‘‘The DHB would like the opportunity to respond directly to her and until that time, it’s not appropriate to discuss her care and any decisions around that publicly.

‘‘We appreciate this is a very difficult time for Ms Cullen and her family.

‘‘We acknowledge her right to raise concerns and are very receptive to any feedback she has around her care.’’