Port Moody Mother with Terminal Cancer Speaks Out About Critical Scan Delays
Sara Gillooly, a 40-year-old mother of two from Port Moody, British Columbia, is sharing her heartbreaking story about how months-long wait times for diagnostic scans may have prevented her from receiving potentially life-saving treatment. The real estate agent now faces a terminal cancer diagnosis after what she describes as critical delays in the healthcare system.
A Mother's Health Journey Takes a Devastating Turn
Gillooly's health concerns began in May of last year when she discovered a significant lump in her breast and immediately sought emergency care. Despite experiencing months of brain fog and memory loss that were uncharacteristic for her, the diagnostic process moved slowly. A mammogram initially confirmed abnormalities, but weeks passed before she received an ultrasound, followed by a biopsy.
"During my ultrasound, I looked at the screen, which I probably shouldn't have done, because I could see the networking veins coming to the tumour," Gillooly recalled during a recent appearance at the legislature in Victoria. "The tech told me, 'Don't ever come to these things alone. Always bring someone.' And I knew then that it was cancer."
The Critical Gap Between Surgery and Follow-Up Scans
Following surgery on July 28, Gillooly's medical team assured her that she was in the clear, with tissue around the cancer removal site showing no signs of spread. However, the mother remained unconvinced and persistently requested additional testing, including CT scans, PET scans, and a Ki-67 marker test to determine the cancer's aggressiveness.
"When I did ask about getting a PET scan, a CT scan, an MRI, this Ki-67, they said it's not necessary. You have clear margins. Don't worry about it. We don't want to give you more radiation in your body. You don't need it," Gillooly explained about her conversations with healthcare providers.
Despite her advocacy efforts, it wasn't until September that she finally saw an oncologist who ordered the additional scans. The devastating results came weeks later: the cancer had metastasized to her lungs, leaving her with approximately a 25 percent five-year survival rate.
Questioning Healthcare Choices and System Delays
Now undergoing hormone therapies to manage her condition, Gillooly reflects on what might have been different. Her cousin had previously received cancer treatment in Turkey, prompting her family to consider international options. She now wonders if seeking care abroad might have provided faster diagnostics and potentially extended her life.
"Those months have made a difference. From May to November I had very little treatment. I was on some hormone replacements, but that was about it," she stated. "I did everything I was told, I waited, I trusted, I tried to advocate for myself. I wonder still if I should have left, if I should have gone to Turkey or if I should have gone to a different hospital."
Gillooly acknowledges the bittersweet reality of her situation, expressing gratitude for the time spent with her community, friends, and family during the waiting period. Yet she questions whether those same delays might now prevent her from having more precious time with her young children, aged 10 and four.
Her story highlights ongoing concerns about diagnostic wait times within Canada's healthcare system, particularly for younger patients with aggressive cancer forms. Women under 40 diagnosed with breast cancer typically face more aggressive disease variants, making timely intervention especially critical.
