Mone to Canada?

Mmisha · August 2007

Hello all,

I live and work in the US but have an opportunity to move to BC. I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons of this possible move. I'm not sure how the Canadian health care compares to the US. I know that universal coverage is great, but I have pretty good insurance here so I get excellent care without too much expense. What do you get in terms of follow-up care? Regular blood work, scans? How quickly can you see your onc if you have a new pain? Any ideas about cancer treatment and care in the two countries?

Thanks,

Misha

debstitchestoo · August 2007

Hi Misha

I'm in Ontario and have great care. I can't tell you the comparison to the US because it would only be heresay. I am followed every month with bloodwork & onc visits (with lots of time to discuss even the little things). I'm scanned every 3 months or more often if things are changing. I developed a superclavical lymph node swelling over the weekend. I called Monday and was in to see the onc this morning. She'll be seeing me again in 3 weeks. I have no complaints about my care. Good luck with your decision. btw, I may be face with the reverse situation if my husband's job moves to Tampa.

Debbie

Alberta2007 · August 2007

I live in Calgary, Alberta. Every Province in Canada has it's own Cancer Board. Provincial health oversees the treatment provided by the Cancer Boards. I had a to wait a month to get my biopsy results. I had surgery very quickly - that was in March. I just started rads on July 31. I am one of the fortunate patients who was not an urgent case. British Columbia seems to have an excellent Breast Cancer program and if you are moving to Vancouver it is a large centre where the programs will be fairly easty to access. I know that Michael Moore points to Canada as having the best system but it has it's problems as well. All in all I feel blessed to have access to health care.
Lynne

baldeagle · August 2007

No system is perfect - but I moved to Alberta several years before my diagnosis - and am so glad I was here for all of my treatment. Tests and appointments were prompt and follow up care has been great. I had to get all my docs to agree as to who would follow what - surgeon, onc., BC doc, PS, and family doc.
Also, I do not have to consider costs when it comes to treatment - and I am not financially stricken by the cost. Also, there is no such thing as "pre-existing conditions" here.
Finally, you should look beyond health care at the other quality of life issues in Canada. They are pretty special.

Jeannette

lazeechic · August 2007

HI Misha
First of all I think it would be great if you moved to Canada as you seem to be a very nice lady.

I live in Ontario and have had excellent care. The doctors would do far more scans etc. if I let them lol. Truly, when you need urgent care here you seldom wait.

You will still need to have some drug coverage though. Not all drugs are covered under the system, so if your husband has a drug plan with his work you would be in great shape.

Best of luck
Angela

lazeechic · August 2007

P.S. Misha
Just to reiterate Jeannette's point about quality of life.

Canada is not perfect, but it has a very high quality of life. We have a large middle class, apparently one of the largest and fastest growing in the world.

I would suggest you come for a visit and start reading our newspapers (globe and mail is our largest national daily), listen to cbc radio (it is broadcast internationally), these will give you some flavour of the life style.

I wish you well on this life journey.
Angela

Mone to Canada?

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