Miramichi - Two men with advanced prostate cancers have told a public inquiry into pathology problems in New Brunswick that they are a paying a high price for the apparent misreading of their biopsies years earlier.

The men, both from northeastern New Brunswick, testified Monday that their cancers were detected too late for surgery and they are now facing lengthy hormone and radiation therapies to save their lives.

"If I had been properly diagnosed the first time, I would have had my prostate removed and that would have been it," said one of the men, who testified on the condition that his identity not be made public.

"But as it turned out, over the course of time, it got worse and by the time they found it, it was beyond being taken out."

The inquiry into pathology problems has moved to Miramichi City, where Dr. Rajgopal Menon, 73, was the former chief of pathology.

Close to 24,000 cases handled by Menon between 1995 and 2007 are now being reviewed by a laboratory in Ottawa for possible errors and omissions. The New Brunswick government also has asked the RCMP to investigate.

All but one of the six people who testified Monday took advantage of the public inquiry's publication ban on their names - a measure designed to protect people discussing intimate details of their personal health.

John Gay, a retired military officer from nearby Tabusintac, N.B., went public with his concerns because he said he would like more people to speak out about the impact of the pathology controversy on their lives.

Gay has had numerous biopsies over the years, and he faces more for a growth on his left forearm. At least one of his earlier biopsies is being reviewed as part of the retesting of Menon's work.

"I, for one, do not trust the system anymore," Gay said to reporters following his testimony.

"I do not trust the Miramichi to do any pathology or any tests on me. . . . Right now, I don't know if I have cancer or not and I'm worried."

Gay said he will ask his doctors to do any future pathology tests in Fredericton or Saint John, N.B.

Most of the people who appeared at the inquiry have yet to hear results from the review of Menon's work.

However, one of the two prostate cancer sufferers was told that his first biopsy in 2004 and a second in 2005 did, in fact, show signs of cancer.

Menon had read them as clear of cancer and it wasn't until another pathologist looked at a biopsy in 2007 that the man was told he had cancer but it was too late for surgery.

Other people testifying at the inquiry talked about the anxiety they are feeling as they await the review of their biopsies.

One woman had a breast removed and subsequent cancer tests have proved negative. Now she wonders if the breast really had to be removed and worries that if it was indeed cancerous, is the disease spreading?

"People say to me, 'Maybe you did have cancer, maybe you didn't,"' she said.

"Even my kids say, 'Mom, maybe you went through that for nothing.' I know I won't be able to rest until I get the results."

Ches Crosby, a St. John's, N.L., lawyer who is working on a class-action lawsuit in the case, said the pathology controversy has shaken public confidence in health care in the region.

"You have a lot of people in the area still waiting for questioned results and this is preying on their minds," said Crosby."People have had their faith and confidence in health care undermined."

Menon and his wife, Annie, attended the inquiry Monday but did not speak publicly.

Menon testified at the inquiry over three days last month and apologized for any mistakes he may have made. He said he was not aware of errors in his work.

His licence was suspended in 2007 following complaints about his work, but it was reinstated with conditions, including a re-training requirement.

Although he is 73 years old, Menon has said he wants to re-train and return to practice, if possible. So far, no university has accepted him.