When diagnosed with breast cancer last year, my PCP said women don’t die from this like they used to. Hope this is going to be the truth not only for myself, but for other women on Lanai and Maui who can’t get an oncologist to take them on.

Why is this happening? A Maui oncology practice shut down overnight with an email on a Friday 5 p.m. Patients now left to find aa replacement oncologist to pick them up is not turning out so well.

I personally called Queens, Straub and Kapiolani on Oahu after my PCP sent referrals, only to be told they are not accepting Lanai patients and to try Maui.

I called Maui Memorial Outpatient, and after waiting for three weeks for them to review my case, I was told I am not priority. They are overloaded with our previous oncologist’s patients calling and can’t take me on as I am in “survivorship” and not active treatment.

HAWAI’I Cancer Care won’t even return my calls.

So here I am nine months after treatment and having weird skin issues that resemble inflammatory breast cancer and I can’t even be seen.

My friend has stage 4 breast cancer, is on active treatment and she is getting denied by these same oncologists as well.

Health care crisis in paradise.

Michelle Sunke
Lāna’i