Vancouver - Cancer knows no cultural boundaries: it is a difficult physical and mental challenge for everyone. But for the large population in Vancouver who do not speak English, the challenge is even greater. These patients must also struggle with a new language. 

The BC Cancer Agency recently hired a counsellor to provide emotional support to Chinese patients in their own language. Alfred Ho, the new multicultural social worker at the Vancouver Cancer Centre, has long worked with cancer patients. Since he came to Canada from Hong Kong in 1989, Ho has worked with the Agency and the Canadian Cancer Society, counselling patients and creating cancer-related community education and support programs. He holds a bachelor of social work from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

"My services are the beginning of a larger multicultural program," says Ho, who works in the Agency's Patient and Family Counselling Department in Vancouver. "We plan to develop patient care for a diverse population."

In addition to providing counselling and clinical support for Chinese cancer patients, Ho will also develop support groups for patients and families. Eight to 10 per cent of new patients treated at the Vancouver Cancer Centre come from south east Asia, Ho says.

First therapeutic relaxation tape for Cantonese-speaking people

The BC Cancer Agency has released a relaxation cassette tape in Cantonese. Called the Healing Light, the tape features oceans sounds, traditional Chinese music, guided visualization and breathing exercises. The BC Cancer Agency produced the tape, likely the first ever created for Cantonese-speaking listeners, in partnership with patients, counsellors, Chinese musicians and Pacific Line Music.

Tapes cost $10 each and are available through Patient and Family Counselling at the Vancouver Cancer Centre. To order, call 877-6145. Copies are also available on loan from the library in the Vancouver Cancer Centre. Call 877-6000 ex. 2688.

The following English language tapes are also available: In the Spirit of Healing; Time in II; Time in III; Time in IV; Time in V -- The Cloak and the Dove; Time in VI -- The Path of Healing; Time in VII -- Air and Fire, Earth and Water; and Peaceful Heart. Proceeds from tape sales support programs for cancer patients and their families.

The BC Cancer Agency provides a comprehensive system of cancer control for the people of B.C. The BC Cancer Research Centre conducts basic science research. The BC Cancer Foundation is the chief fund-raiser. Together the three organizations have launched the Millennium Campaign, to set the stage by the year 2000 to unlock the mystery of cancer.