SURREY - Cancer patients in the Fraser Valley area now have some of the latest technology available to them, with the installation of a new linear accelerator at the BC Cancer Agency's Fraser Valley Centre. A linear accelerator is used to deliver radiation therapy to treat a variety of cancers.

The BC Cancer Agency opened its Fraser Valley centre in 1995 with four treatment machines, and the centre reached capacity within a year. The centre serves the region from White Rock, south of the Fraser River to Hope. The centre was built with the intention of adding a fifth machine, and planning began in 1998 to have it operational by early 2001.

"About 60 per cent of people diagnosed with cancer will have radiation therapy at some point during their treatment," says Dr. Tom Keane, provincial program leader for radiation therapy. "The Fraser Valley centre was built to accommodate 2000 patients requiring RT each year, and last year, treated 2115. With the additional machine, capacity increases by about 450 to 500 treatments per year, to about 2600."

"Waiting lists for radiation therapy in BC have been coming down steadily," says Keane. "Another machine in this centre, and the opening of a new centre in Victoria in March, means the end of waiting lists is near."

The provincial government, through the Ministry of Health, provided nearly $3.7 million to expand the Fraser Valley Cancer Centre and add the fifth radiation therapy vault.

"Advanced technology and early treatment are some of our best defences for fighting cancer," said Sue Hammell, MLA Surrey-Green Timbers on behalf of Health Minister Corky Evans. "More people from Hope to White Rock will get the treatment they need sooner - and closer to where they live."

"This year will be significant for our cancer program," says Dr. Simon Sutcliffe, president and CEO of the BC Cancer Agency. "It will be the first time in 20 years that we will have the capacity to meet the radiation treatment needs for cancer patients. Staff at the Cancer Agency and the Ministry of Health have worked hard to develop this program in recent years, and we are witnessing some of that effort with this opening today."

Radiation therapy uses radiation (high-energy rays) to kill or shrink tumour cells. It is used to treat some, but not all cancers. It destroys cells either directly or by interfering with cell reproduction. Normal cells are able to recover from radiation damage better than cancer cells. Radiation therapy used alone can be curative in many cases.

The BC Cancer Agency is responsible for cancer care and research in British Columbia. The BC Cancer Agency provides a comprehensive cancer care program by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including, prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. Research conducted by the BC Cancer Agency into the causes and cures for cancer is supported by the BC Cancer Foundation; a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for cancer research in British Columbia.