Call for free GP visits for cancer patients

The Breast Cancer Foundation is urging the Government to make doctors’ visits free for women with advanced breast cancer.

Recent research by the foundation found that for 75 per cent of people with breast cancer their household income was negatively affected by the disease.

The foundation’s chief executive, Evangelia Henderson, said most women with advanced breast cancer were unable to work and were ‘‘burdened’’ both by the disease and the cost of living. ‘‘It’s unfair to put extra strain on these people and we need to make GP visits free, with no limit,’’ she said.

‘‘When you’re in an advanced state of breast cancer you’re discharged from hospital and the oncologist and you end up relying on your GP and those visits can be expensive – it’s a difficult position and an unfair system.

‘‘The least New Zealand can do is take away the stress of paying GPs – the cost is a barrier to getting people the help they need.’’

West Auckland woman Tania Lelisi was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer in October 2015. Following a double mastectomy, doctors found the cancer had spread to her bones.

Lelisi said that in the past few months she had been to see her GP three or four times, at a cost of $39 per visit.

Until recently, Lelisi was the sole earner in her family. Her husband was now working too but she said she worried about women who were on their own and unable to work.

‘‘Money is a definite stress when you’re going through this.’’

A Ministry of Health spokesperson said a very low cost access scheme was available to anyone who had a community services card.

‘‘In addition to this, the Ministry of Health is producing a Cancer Action Plan that will identify key priorities with the aim of improving cancer outcomes for all New Zealanders.

‘‘The interim plan is due to the minister of health before the end of June 2019.’’