Urgency for cancer care facilities in Douglas Shire gains traction following past road closure
PETITION
The aftermath of last December’s floods, which temporarily restricted access to Cairns, served as a poignant reminder of the critical need for accessible cancer care facilities in the Douglas Shire, particularly for those who cannot afford to wait.
This pressing concern has ignited a significant surge in support for a petition dedicated to championing improved cancer care, spearheaded by local resident Louise Wall.
When Newsport initially covered a story about the petition, it boasted 750 signatures. Now, the support has surged to over 6500, accompanied by numerous testimonials.
Despite the progress, Ms Wall aims to gather 10,000 signatures before submitting the petition to Queensland Health, underscoring the significance of the issue to the community.
Ms Wall initiated advocacy for enhanced cancer treatment in Douglas Shire last November, prompted by her husband's 25-year battle that exposed substantial delays in crucial scans and treatment.
She emphasised the emotional toll of cancer-related stress, advocating for local treatment facilities to ease challenges faced by patients undergoing distant chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
"A friend undergoing treatment had her CT scan and treatment postponed due to the inability to reach Cairns,” Ms Wall shared. “It’s distressing when you're aware the treatment is crucial for saving your life, leaving personal concerns about the cancer potentially spreading during the wait.
“We don't even have an Oncologist that comes up to Mossman to do outpatient appointments. Even having a CT scanner at Mossman hospital would greatly benefit patients, though I understand it involves significant costs.”
Ms Wall expressed great gratitude for the community’s support. “Testimonials on the petition reveal the wishes of current and past cancer patients who express how they hoped for some or all of their treatment in Mossman,” she said.
“I’ve also received overwhelming support from the dedicated ladies of Pink in the Tropics, who provide invaluable assistance to our local women undergoing breast cancer treatment.
“I don’t know if we will ever be able to have all cancer treatment done at Mossman, given the population size in the Shire. However, the recent floods highlighted the urgent need for accessible immunotherapy or chemotherapy for those unable to tolerate delays.”
You can support Louise's efforts to improve local health services here.
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