In a radio interview, Wiseman said, "We're working through the issues that have been identified and we're hoping they'll be resolved in the short term."
To appease the three gynecologic oncologists, Wiseman wrote them, pledging to address their problems. For the short-term, he proposed providing advanced training for nurses to assist the three cancer experts and create new clinical associate positions to help ease their workload.
However, the health minister admitted it might take a while to address other complaints, including the need for more research facilities and higher wages. The province pays cervix and ovarian cancer doctors about $250,000 annually, while other provinces pay $350,000 to $450,000.
Wiseman will meet next week with the group's representatives. He was optimistic the problems would be resolved.
Meanwhile, the Pediatrics Journal recommended Re-Mission video games to young cancer patients, which promote healthy and positive behavior among teenagers with cancer. According to a study of young cancer patients at the McMaster Children's Hospital in Hamilton, teens who played the video game for at least one hour a week had a higher chance of being consistent in taking their chemotherapy drugs and antibiotics than those who did not.
The game features a robot, named Roxxie, which goes into the body, travels through its blood vessels and organs, seeking out cancer cells and infected spots to battle. Roxxie zaps mutant cells with an electric green chemotherapy charge.
