An Ontario mayor diagnosed with pancreatic cancer says he’s been “sentenced to die” after the province refused to cover an experimental procedure in the U.S. costing more than $300,000.
Trent Hills Mayor Hector Macmillan was given less than a year to live after doctors diagnosed him with pancreatic cancer in January. He says he’s found a possible treatment in the U.S. called a NanoKnife that may buy him more time.
But his request for funding for the procedure was denied by the Ontario Health Insurance Program, which deemed the therapy “experimental” and “not medically necessary."
“I think they are just trying to save money. I think that's the only reason,” Macmillan told CTV News. "I've dealt with some pretty tough things, but this is definitely at the top of the list."
After the rejection, the mayor began answering his phone with an acerbic new greeting: "This is Hector Macmillan and I've been sentenced to die. How may I help you?”
How it works
The NanoKnife uses a series of electrodes to send quick electric jolts to the tumour. The goal is to target the cancer and destroy it while keeping nearby tissue safe.
Some studies suggest that the therapy may boost a patient’s median survival by seven months, while others report medial overall survival of nearly 24 months.
The procedure is widely available in the U.S. and other countries, but remains out of reach for many Canadians
A Toronto hospital currently has a NanoKnife, and researchers are hoping to study its uses for pancreatic cancer, but the hospital needs about $200,000 in funding to move forward with research.
“It's not a tremendous amount of money but yet it's still something that we need to bring together,” said Dr. Larry White, the radiologist-in-chief at Toronto General Hospital.
Macmillan insists that he qualifies for experimental procedures because he says a recent scan found that his cancer has regressed to stage 3. He has filed an appeal to the OHIP decision in hopes of reversing the decision.
OHIP typically does not fund patients’ out-of-country treatments if the procedure is not available in Canada.
Doctors say the mayor has about four months to live, but that may change if the prognosis of his pancreatic cancer -- which is known to be a particularly aggressive form of cancer -- gets worse.
Officials from the Ontario Ministry of Health said they cannot comment on the case.
Community unites to help
In the face of rejection, Macmillan has turned to his community for support. An online fundraiser has begun collecting donations to cover the procedure. By Aug. 31, donors raised more than $30,000 of the $100,000 goal.
Friends say Macmillan isn’t the type of guy to give up.
“He is not going out without a fight,” said fire chief Tim Blake. “He believes in his heart that this will work, and I believe in my heart that this will work for him, too.”
Macmillan’s plight reveals the unique challenges faced by Canadians with pancreatic cancer, one advocate says.
"It sheds light on how deadly this disease and how few options there are for patients,” said Laurie Ellies of Pancreatic Cancer Canada.
About 4,800 Canadians are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year, and about 75 per cent of patients die within the first year.
With a report from CTV’s medical specialist Avis Favaro and producer Elizabeth St. Philip
