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Dr. Katie Allen Diagnosed With Stage 4 Cancer After Election Loss
Just days after her defeat in the 2025 federal election, former MP and medical expert Dr. Katie Allen shared a deeply personal health update. She announced she has been diagnosed with stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer of the bile ducts.
She posted the news on social media, saying she is prepared to face this difficult journey with courage, focus, and strength.
Former MP’s Return to Politics Ends in Defeat
Dr. Allen, who previously represented Higgins from 2019 to 2022, ran for the seat of Chisholm in this year’s federal election. Despite her efforts, she lost to Labor MP Carina Garland by a margin of more than 9,000 votes.
Her campaign focused on health policy, local development, and economic reform. The election result came as a disappointment, but the news of her diagnosis added another layer of challenge.
Drawing Strength From a Life in Medicine
In her statement, Dr. Allen spoke about her time as a doctor and how she had supported patients through cancer battles during her medical career. Now, she finds herself in their shoes.
She thanked her family, friends, and political colleagues for their support and emphasized that she plans to face this illness with the same commitment she brought to her public and medical service.
Support Pours In From Across Politics
Politicians from all parties have reached out with messages of hope and encouragement. Many have highlighted Dr. Allen’s professionalism, kindness, and lifelong dedication to serving the public — both in parliament and in the medical field.
What Is Cholangiocarcinoma?
Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare bile duct cancer that is often detected at an advanced stage. Treatment is complex, and outcomes vary, but patients often require intensive care and ongoing support.
A Sudden Turn After a Tough Campaign
Dr. Allen’s diagnosis came as a shock, not only because of its severity, but also because it followed a physically and emotionally intense election campaign. Her focus was on returning to Parliament to represent Chisholm, and she had not shared any public signs of illness during the campaign.
A Life of Public Service and Advocacy
Before entering politics, Dr. Allen was a respected pediatrician and medical researcher. She made a name for herself as an advocate for better public health policy, and later brought that same dedication to her political career. Her work earned her respect across both medical and political communities.
