Dead Breast Cancer Patient Given ‘Runaround’ on Test Results, Sister Says

By THE CANADIAN PRESS

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – A relative of a patient whose breast cancer test was botched and later died says her sister only found out about the error after repeated phone calls to Newfoundland’s Eastern Health authority.

Patricia Goobie told a public inquiry today that her older sister Geraldine felt that Eastern Health was giving her the “runaround,” and that the health board should’ve arranged an appointment to inform her of the mistake.

Geraldine died in August 2006.

The probe is examining how almost 400 patients were given inaccurate results on their breast cancer tests, and whether Eastern Health responded to them and the public appropriately.

Provincial Supreme Court Justice Margaret Cameron won’t make any conclusions about civil or criminal responsibility.

The province has requested the inquiry deliver a final report by July 30.