In a recent report, the Cross Cancer Institute at Edmonton is proposing to take care of the patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancers. The hospital had earlier refused to treat such patients.

The refusal was due to dearth of staff at the cancer clinic. The hospital decided to refuse chemotherapy to patients who had a low chance of survival.

The doctors had to divide their patients into two groups. One group composed of patients who were expected to recover after the administration of chemotherapy. The other group comprised of patients with advanced cancer in whom the chances of recovery were low.

Ann Reyner, who lived in Alta., was refused treatment by the hospital as she had a Stage 4 colon cancer.

The hospital called her six weeks after the refusal. By the time, it was too late as she had passed away.

Her husband disclosed to CBC News that her condition had deteriorated in the previous month. Reyner wanted to take his wife to US for treatment. His friends agreed to bear the cost of the treatment. However, he cancelled his decision as he thought that similar treatment is available in the vicinity.