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These are real stories about people who have had cancer treatment and experienced problems with the Australian Health Care System.
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Delia's Story
In 2007 I had not a care in the world. I was about to head off overseas when my boyfriend suggested I get a lump on my breast checked out. Breast cancer is an emotional subject for me, but I had always had regular mammograms because of a big family history. A biopsy showed breast cancer and thinking she was doing the right thing, my GP referred me the next day to expensive high class private breast surgeon… Eighteen months later I had ruined health, was out of pocket $20,000, was unemployed and was realizing that my treatment had been substandard, overpriced and mostly irrelevant to my condition… read more
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Ivy's Story
It is a couple of years ago that I was very sick with cancer. I don’t like to think about it now. It’s all horrible and I put it all behind me.
I was first diagnosed with lymphoma, gosh can you believe it, five years ago. I had a great big lump, like a golf ball, in my groin. I went to see my GP who referred me to a private oncologist, Hainrich. He started me on chemo straight away. That was horrible, but it worked. The cancer went away. I was so happy for two years...read more
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Rose’s story
In 2003 I was working in a nursing home, in charge of 100 residents. It was such a stressful job, but it wasn’t the patients that caused the stress. I really like working with older people, listening to their stories and getting to form relationships with them. The problem was the relatives. They were so aggressive! They wanted everything done to keep their relatives alive, from intravenous antibiotics to cardiac surgery. When someone died they saw it as a ‘medical mistake’ or a ‘nursing negligence’. They were so busy blaming the staff, that they ignored the quality of life of the people they claimed they loved! I really believe that job caused my cancer… read more
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Barry's Story
Barry’s family has a long history of cancer with both his parents and slightly older brothers passing away at an early age because of it.
In his mid-40’s, Barry was diagnosed with tumors on or around both his kidneys.
After consultation with medical advisers it was decided that, as the tumors could neither be removed nor treated with medication, Barry’s best opportunity would be to have BOTH his kidneys removed.… read more
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Betty's Story
My name is Betty, and I’m a breast cancer survivor. I was one of the pink ladies, at the MCG’s match on the Friday before mother’s day. You probably saw me, standing next to …I went with my husband, Jed. It was
great to part of something big, making a public statement about breast cancer. It’s been quite a journey. I’d like to share it with you.… read more
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Tracey's Story
Mother of two Tracey Ryan certainly thought the health system would be there to support her when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in February last year.
But her faith has been sorely shaken. She has had to spend more than $17,000 from her own pocket for her medical treatment between July 1 last year and June 30 this year, despite having top-level private health cover and after any adjustments available through the Medicare and other safety nets.
Shocked? It gets worse. read more
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