The widow and seven children of a Powell River man killed by cancer say he was given a clean bill of health by a B.C. radiologist mere months before his death.

John Leroy Moser was among the roughly 3,400 people health officials discovered had been treated by unqualified radiologists in Powell River and the Fraser Valley last year. He passed away on Jan. 2 with cancer spots in his lungs, liver and ribs.

But none of that turned up in a CT scan he received in August.

"I went to his doctor for the results and it was all clear, which was hard to believe because he was so sick," his daughter Janet told CTV News.

"He said, 'If I have to go on living like this I just don't want to live anymore.'"

Moser began losing weight but was having difficulty eating. As he suffered through the disease, he continued to take care of his wife Marion, who has Multiple Sclerosis, to prevent her from having to stay in a hospital extended care unit.

Related: Unqualified staff missed cancer diagnoses in CT scans

In December, he collapsed. When he was taken to hospital for testing, his cancer was finally discovered. Marion was in denial.

"It's not right," she said. "We were 56 years married and I loved him and he loved me. Our desire was to lie in bed together cuddled and pass away together. That was what we wanted."

"We didn't get what we wanted, did we? No. We certainly didn't."

Janet says she doesn't blame the radiologist who read her father's scan as much as the system itself. "I think all of the health care budget cutbacks ... I find them responsible," she said.

"This health care system has got to change. There's got to be more accounting and more funds spent to look after our own people."

It's unclear whether an earlier diagnosis could have saved him, but the family says the mere possibility is heartbreaking.

Two-part investigation launched

Health officials have launched a two-part investigation into the problem scans, beginning with an immediate 30-day probe to ensure all radiologists in the province have proper credentials.

The second part will analyze the credentialing process and the health authorities' response to the issue. The results of both probes will be made public within six months.

All of the affected patients are being notified of the situation. Neither of the two radiologists involved is currently practicing in B.C.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Bhinder Sajan

If you were affected by a misdiagnosis and would like to share your story, email bcassign@ctv.ca