Move to Canada or not

[Louise O'Brien]

Rupali:

Come to Canada. You are not moving to a medical backwater. I'm Canadian and I can't tell you how grateful I am for our healthcare system. Both my husband and I have been treated for cancer (he was diagnosed with prostate cancer five years ago while my diagnosis was a year ago). Once diagnosed, our treatment was instant and immediate. And free. We have not had to pay a cent. And we've been treated by the best.

We have internationally renowned physicians here and if you are relocating to Toronto you will have access to some of the best specialists in the world.

It would be a shame for you to lose your residency status when there are so many people waiting to get into this country.

Toronto is also a lovely city with great benefits - terrific restaurants and theatres and a nice quality of life.

I will give you this advice though. If you are considering a move, get your oncologist to refer you to a Toronto specialist. You need that referral and you should be working on it now. You can't just walk in cold and make an appointment.

You will have to wait three months until you get health care coverage so make sure your husband's company covers you for that period. They should.

I can't tell you if our health care system covers the three drugs you mention but the information is on line and I'll try to research it for you. Nor can I tell you if your private health care carrier will - only your husband's HR department can.

As far as treatment goes - I can tell you that Herceptin for early stage breast cancer patients was approved in our country several years ago. I believe the FDA in the U.S. only approved it for early stage patients last year.

We don't have to worry about private insurance carriers refusing to cover us because the cost of the medication is too high. You may hear stories about long waiting lists but I can only tell you that much of that is a myth - we experienced none of that once we were diagnosed. Our treatment followed quickly. My surgery took place three weeks after my diagnosis.

Given your diagnosis and the prospect of future expenses, I personally feel this is a move you will never regret. I have many friends who moved to the U.S. for career opportunities who want to come back - and it's because of our health system.

[Cathya]

Rupali;

I just noticed your post and agree with Louise. I am also Canadian and live in Ontario. As I am not familiar with how health matters work in the US I can't make a comparison but I can say that my own care has been excellent. Although outsiders look at our health care system as a national one, please be advised that it differs province to province. When originally set up each province matched the Federal governments' contribution to health care and it was an equal partnership. Over time the federal government has reduced the amount of money they contribute to our health care system and now, because of this, have very little real control. Medical decisions such as which drugs to cover, etc. are made individually by each province. I would not worry about this too much but realize that our experiences could be different depending on which province we live in. Ontario's health care is very good and among the top in Canada. In order to be referred to an oncologist here you must have a biopsy confirming your diagnosis. I believe this is why Louis is rightly telling you to get a referral. While you can chose your own MD, you must be referred to an oncologist.

I do notice that more of our US members comment on PET scans and MRI's than CT's. I personally have MRI's when needed and CT's on a regular (every 2 or 3 months) basis. PET scans are really not standard here in Ontario yet. I am told that will be coming soon but I know my own oncologist would like me to have one and can't get it arranged.

I have not doubt you will find other differences but I can assure you that there is tremendous comfort in knowing that all your health needs are freely met here. Cancer is considered a top priority here and service is very quick.....appointments, tests, etc.

Best regards,

Cathy