‘I’m still here and fighting’: Winnipeg woman seeking rare cancer clinical trial in Texas

A Winnipeg woman battling a rare form of cancer is looking to go to the United States for a clinical trial that could help her. CTV’s Joseph Bernacki explains.

Winnipeg resident Cynthia Mitchell said it’s been an uphill battle trying to find treatment for cholangiocarcinoma, a rare form of cancer. She’s fighting to survive after originally being told by doctors she only had months to live.

“At the very beginning, my husband and I said we accept the diagnosis, but we reject the prognosis,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, also known as bile duct cancer, in 2021. She said around 500 Canadians are diagnosed every year with this condition. As a result, trying to find treatment options has been a real challenge.

“Not only are you trying to battle this disease, but you’re also trying to navigate what is really an unnavigable system when you’re faced with a rare cancer,” Mitchell said.

She said based on her rare condition, she has no current options for treatment in Manitoba. Since her diagnosis, she has been travelling to Toronto for medical consultations, testing and treatment options in Canada.

CTV News reached out to Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara for comment on treatment options for cholangiocarcinoma patients available in Manitoba.

In a statement, Asagwara said, “My heart is with Ms. Mitchell and her family. Rare cancers put families in impossible positions, as treatment and diagnosis are especially difficult.”

“Our focus remains on strengthening cancer care here at home and supporting patients and providers as they navigate extraordinarily difficult decisions.”

Now, a clinical trial in Texas, where one of her oncologists is based, may be the only option Mitchell has to try to prolong her life. She said the problem she’s trying to navigate is how to afford the significant cost of testing.

“Houston opened up a spot for me within three days of learning that I couldn’t find a trial here in Canada, and so there’s an astronomical cost that comes with that,” Mitchell said.

“The only treatment that has ever been effective at all in stabilizing my disease has been one of those targeted therapies.”

In a statement to CTV News, David Raynaud, senior policy manager with the Canadian Cancer Society, said rare cancers make up around 20 per cent of new cancer cases in Manitoba, which can be particularly difficult to diagnose and treat.

“Because many healthcare providers are not familiar with them, patients often face delays, limited treatment options and may need to travel far from home to access specialized care. This creates additional challenges and burdens for people with cancer and their families, underscoring the importance of improved navigation support and more coordinated cancer care,” Raynaud said.

No one should face additional stress or financial hardship because of the type of cancer they have. We continue to advocate for timely, equitable and coordinated cancer care across Canada.”

Mitchell said she is not going to give up despite the financial barrier. She said standard care at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston could exceed US$100,000 USD over the next six months.

“As devastating as this diagnosis has been, we have such deep gratitude that I’m still here and fighting,” she said.

Friends and family of Mitchell have organized a GoFundMe page to try to help cover a portion of the uncovered medical expenses. As of Tuesday afternoon, more than $27,000 has been raised of their $35,000 goal.