VANCOUVER - Cancer specialists - physicians, nurses, pharmacists, scientists - are gathering in Vancouver Friday and Saturday for an educational conference and to further develop cancer treatment services across the province.

Jack Chritchley, BC Cancer Agency vice-president of the communities oncology network, describes the conference as a key opportunity for BC Cancer Agency staff to collaborate with care providers in communities, regional health boards, and hospital administrators, in developing cancer-care programs for the future.

"As those who care for cancer patients in British Columbia, we are facing tremendous challenges in the future," says Dr. Chritchley. "Cancer treatment is changing and becoming more complex. Costs of treatment are rising as are the numbers of people needing treatment. The BC Cancer Agency needs to work closely with all of its partners to build a strong provincial system to support the needs of cancer patients in this province."

In addition to operating four major cancer centres (Vancouver, Surrey, Kelowna and Victoria), BCCA staff also work with regional health boards and community health services to provide cancer care in more than 50 communities around the province. These partnership arrangements mean that in many cases, patients can have certain aspects of their cancer treatment closer to home.

"The BC Cancer Agency needs to not only recognize the needs of health-care professionals working in smaller communities, but also to provide support, education and other resources to maintain quality care delivery," says Chritchley.

The opportunity to share information and discuss how to improve the network of services is valued highly by cancer care professionals from all regions of the province.

Marylynn Rakuson of the Greater Trail Community Health Council believes time spent here, meeting colleagues and sharing ideas, is vital to her role as a health care administrator.

"We take what we gain here back to our own communities and provide better patient care," says Rakuson. "Those in rural and remote areas need a voice, we need to work together and learn from one another. We are not alone with our challenges and this kind of conference allows us to learn from each other."

For more details about the BC Cancer Agency's Clinical Care Conference, visit the Web site at www.cancerbc.com.