B.C. cabinet minister announces 'heartbreaking' return of cancer
Selina Robinson, the B.C. NDP's minister for post-secondary education, has revealed she is once again battling cancer.
Addressing the provincial legislature on Tuesday, Robinson said her latest diagnosis was confirmed less than two years after she was finally able to stop treatment for the gastrointestinal stromal tumor that was discovered back in 2006.
"I went for my scan and I got the unfortunate news that cancer's back, and it's heartbreaking," Robinson said. "I'm back on my chemotherapy and disappointed."
One of the hardest parts was telling her children "their mother has cancer again," said the Coquitlam-Maillardville MLA.
Robinson's cancer, sometimes called GIST, is a rare form that begins in the digestive tract, most often in the stomach or small intestine.
Robinson, whose former roles include finance minister and minister of municipal affairs and housing, noted the need for cancer screening and treatment continues to grow along with B.C.'s population.
Almost 90 people per day are diagnosed with cancer across the province, she added, referencing an alarming statistic shared in the government's throne speech Monday.
"That number will only increase," Robinson said.
"After a cancer diagnosis, nobody should be stuck waiting for treatment they urgently need. That's why your government will continue its work to build our health workforce and fight cancer with new investments to enhance access to screening and early detection, diagnostic imaging, and treatments."
Her announcement was met with a wave of support from across parties in the legislature.
"You have beat cancer before and we know you will beat it again," BC Liberal opposition leader Kevin Falcon wrote on Twitter.
Robinson confirmed she will remain in her current post while undergoing treatment.
Former NDP leader John Horgan stepped down last year, a decision he made, in part, because of flagging energy he experienced in the wake of his own recent battle with cancer. The premier was diagnosed with throat cancer in late 2021, and completed treatment by January 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.