MRI Wait times in Southern Ontario

EmilyInOntario

I have been waiting since December 13th for an MRI and wondering how long anyone else has had to wait. This is for a final confirmation of bone mets. If I don't have mets I should be starting chemo and radiation ASAP. Both my family doctor and oncologist have been trying to get me an appointment in both hospital and private clinic. Has anyone else had to wait this long?

molly52

Hi Emily,

My MRI's were pretty quick, but they were a few years back.

Are you in Toronto or outside the city and which hospital?   Probably the holiday season has increased the backlog.  

People will be getting up soon - they'll give you more current info.

Luah

Emily, when I was first diagnosed, I waited about 3 weeks for a breast MRI (to detect any additional disease and determine treatment) which was arranged through the Breast Cancer clinic at North York General. I'm sure the holidays have created a backlog as Molly says. Still, as the MRI will determine your treatment, keep pushing.

I've had to wait 4 months for a follow-up MRI at Sunnybrook, but that's just for screening.

lear

Hi Emily, Sorry you are having to wait so long for your MRI. I too live in Ontario and I had breast surgery - large area of DCIS and area of Lobular Invasive carcinoma. I was supposed to receive radiation treatment afterwards. My surgery was September 2010 received a date for radiation to commence next week January 18 that makes my wait time 17 weeks. I asked my radiologist if the radiation will still be as effective as I heard there was an optimal time to procede with radiation after lumpectomy/wide incision surgery she said it was just as effective now as it would be at an earlier date? I'm not sure this if this statement is accurate as I cannot have it confirmed by another radiologist at this time.

Have you tried patient advocacy office at the hospital where you are being treated with regards to the delay in your MRI? It may help if you go in person. Further, take a friend with you as back-up.

lear

Hi Emily, have you tried contacting patient advocacy office at the hospital where you are being treated or considering being treated? It may help if you go in person rather than making a phone call. Explain your circumstances and how the delay in MRI is delaying all other treatment. Further, take a friend with you for support. Huggs.

I too live in Ontario and had surgery back in September 2010. Radiation was to follow when tissue/scar heals. I finally have a date for radiation - January 19 2011 next week. Wait time 17 weeks from surgery. Asked my oncologist if the radiation is still as effective on residue invasive cancer cells at 17 weeks after surgery? Quote "It is just as effective give or take a 1% as it would have been at an earlier radiation date". I'm not sure if this statement is accurate and I cannot confirm this (2nd opinion) as I only received the phone call this week. Take care

EmilyInOntario

Update: I finally had an MRI in two parts at a local clinic Jan 6 and 7th. While I was waiting in the waiting room for my test I heard the receptionist booking several patients within the next few days. This makes me suspect that local hospitals ( cancer centre) are reluctant to use other resources for their patients for reasons known only to themselves . Since I was asked today to obtain my actual scan from the clinic and bring it to the oncologist for her to discuss the results with radiologists there, it should have made no difference where I had the actual test to my way of thinking.

The patient advocacy idea is a good one and I'll keep that in mind for the future. Thanks...