Will thyroid cancer hinder parents medical exam?

[SMA.DE]

Always thought parent had a thyroid module operation, but was just told it’s actually a thyroid cancer surgery. However this happened two years ago without the need to do any Chemotherapy. All parent needs is taking medication daily and check up every year which show no reoccurrence. I am seeking advice from members that have similar experiences:
- will this hinder parents medical exam?
- any additional exams or specialist report we should expect?
- we don’t have ME requested yet, anything we can do now to better prepare for the medical exam?

Thanks!

 

[canuck78]

In general thyroid cancer is a god cancer to get because you usually only need surgery or surgery and radiation plus thyroid replacement pills. Would probably wait and see if they want more information but you might be asked to prepare notes from oncologist with pathology information, treatment needed for cancer, clean pet scan for the past 2 years.

 

[SMA.DE]

In general thyroid cancer is a god cancer to get because you usually only need surgery or surgery and radiation plus thyroid replacement pills. Would probably wait and see if they want more information but you might be asked to prepare notes from oncologist with pathology information, treatment needed for cancer, clean pet scan for the past 2 years.

Thank you. I want my parent to have the exam done in Canada, and the clinic I called does not need medical report for the exam if we don't have one at hand. Do you think CIC will ask for the report later on? Or CIC will only ask for oncologist report and more tests without the need for medical reports for the surgery?

 

[SMA.DE]

Also, would Dr. be able to tell a surgery was done because of cancer not because of regular thyroid nodule, from appearance of the scar or the test results?

 

[YVR123]

Also, would Dr. be able to tell a surgery was done because of cancer not because of regular thyroid nodule, from appearance of the scar or the test results?

The advice is to tell the truth.

 

[canuck78]

You should tell the truth but based on medication and scar it is pretty easy to deduce. Would anticipate that you will be asked for more information about when he had cancer, the pathology, treatment done, when follow-up scans have been done, etc. Usually start at every 3 months but for thyroid cancer maybe do every 6 months then switch to yearly for the first 5 years. Hard to comment based on limited info.

 

[SMA.DE]

You should tell the truth but based on medication and scar it is pretty easy to deduce. Would anticipate that you will be asked for more information about when he had cancer, the pathology, treatment done, when follow-up scans have been done, etc. Usually start at every 3 months but for thyroid cancer maybe do every 6 months then switch to yearly for the first 5 years. Hard to comment based on limited info.

Really appreciated your help, Canuck78!
Just to confirm, from the medication and scar you mean it's easy to tell the surgery was for thyroid cancer not for thyroid nodule. Because you used "but", I am not sure I interpret it right.

If so, are the medication and scar size different for cancer and for nodule? Just curious.

My another question is, do you know any people here that were requested past medical reports by CIC after the panel physician sent in medical report? All the posts I saw so far is CIC may request more tests or specialist reports, but no one mentioned CIC requested medical reports for past surgeries.

FYI, my parent has yearly check up now and take pills every day.

 

[canuck78]

Cancer surgery usually comes with a larger scar. Your parent must also tell the truth about why they have the visible scar on their neck. Yes other tests are often ordered but in cases of pre-existing conditions CIC has been known to ask for reports from your current physicians. Tell your parents that they have to be honest and then wait and see whether further tests or information is required.

 

[SMA.DE]

Cancer surgery usually comes with a larger scar. Your parent must also tell the truth about why they have the visible scar on their neck. Yes other tests are often ordered but in cases of pre-existing conditions CIC has been known to ask for reports from your current physicians. Tell your parents that they have to be honest and then wait and see whether further tests or information is required.

Sure, thanks. I will let them know to tell the truth and just wait for the results.
When you say "CIC has been known to ask report from current physicians" you mean the CIC medical officer who review the medical exam reports, or the panel physician we will see in clinic？ Because the surgery is done at another city rather than my parents' residential city, so I am trying to figure out what will be the best time for them to get it.

Also, if the pre-existing condition diagnosed more than 5 years prior to IME, would CIC still request related medical reports?

 

[canuck78]

Yes not the panel physician. Don't worry you will be given a deadline to submit medical record if necessary. Yes you could be asked for records of a pre-existing condition diagnosed over 5 years ago if it is a chronic condition or is relevant to future health. If your parent had an appendectomy 10 years ago it won't be an issue but if you were diagnosed with cancer you may be asked for more information if you have only been in remission for less than 5 years and the physician wants to figure out if the cancer is likely to return. I wouldn't overthink this too much. Just wait and see what happens and if they need further tests or medical records.

 

[SMA.DE]

Yes not the panel physician. Don't worry you will be given a deadline to submit medical record if necessary. Yes you could be asked for records of a pre-existing condition diagnosed over 5 years ago if it is a chronic condition or is relevant to future health. If your parent had an appendectomy 10 years ago it won't be an issue but if you were diagnosed with cancer you may be asked for more information if you have only been in remission for less than 5 years and the physician wants to figure out if the cancer is likely to return. I wouldn't overthink this too much. Just wait and see what happens and if they need further tests or medical records.

Thank you very much for the detailed information.

 

[SMA.DE]

Yes not the panel physician. Don't worry you will be given a deadline to submit medical record if necessary. Yes you could be asked for records of a pre-existing condition diagnosed over 5 years ago if it is a chronic condition or is relevant to future health. If your parent had an appendectomy 10 years ago it won't be an issue but if you were diagnosed with cancer you may be asked for more information if you have only been in remission for less than 5 years and the physician wants to figure out if the cancer is likely to return. I wouldn't overthink this too much. Just wait and see what happens and if they need further tests or medical records.

Hi @canuck78 , I just find a physician handbook online, and it says the physician needs to grade the medical exam with A or B. B indicates that there are significant abnormal findings present and/or an abnormal history. Does that mean if the doctor gives a B, he/she is recommending a non pass? Or even with a B grade, the medical exam can still be passed depends on the medical condition? Thanks.

 

[canuck78]

Will likely trigger more investigation into the case. The panel physician doesn't decide whether the person gets approved or not. You will get a procedural fairness letter if you are about to be refused and you can provide more information. You may also be asked to provide more information at any time.

 

[SMA.DE]

Will likely trigger more investigation into the case. The panel physician doesn't decide whether the person gets approved or not. You will get a procedural fairness letter if you are about to be refused and you can provide more information. You may also be asked to provide more information at any time.

So With B rating, would an application still pass IME if there are no safety and health concerns, and there is no excessive medical demand?

 

[canuck78]

Yes technically but I can't guarantee that anyone will be approved.