Cancer patients and their loved ones are constantly searching for new sources of information, and answers to many questions about what lies ahead. On October 20, the BC Cancer Agency's Vancouver Island Centre is launching a new program to help patients understand the system.

These new patient orientation sessions are designed to help alleviate some of the anxiety faced by newly-diagnosed patients before their first visit to the BC Cancer Agency.

"We realized that patients and care providers often feel frustrated, anxious, and afraid during the period of time between diagnosis and their first visit with an oncologist," says Johanna Den Duyf, systemic therapy and community leader at the centre. "By supporting the practical needs of patients, we hope to provide them with tools and information that will help them cope with the experience of having cancer."

The orientation sessions are designed to provide patients and their caregivers with practical information about the centre, the many services available through the BC Cancer Agency, and what to expect during their first visit with the care team at the BC Cancer Agency's Vancouver Island Centre.

The sessions were designed through consultation with patient advisors, and by researching orientation sessions provided at other cancer centres across Canada.

Each one-hour session includes:

• An introduction
• Screening of the video, "The Most Important Thing"
• A 15 minute presentation by trained facilitators on how to prepare for a first visit to the centre
• A 15 minute question and answer period

Sessions are being held twice a week: at 3 p.m. on Monday afternoons, and 10 a.m. on Thursday mornings, in Conference Room 2 of the BC Cancer Agency's Vancouver Island Centre, 2410 Lee Avenue in Victoria. The sessions are drop in, so there's no need to register ahead of time.

Isabella Marchand, a BC Cancer Agency volunteer who has been a cancer patient, is an orientation volunteer facilitator. It is a chance to give back to the system, she says, and have a way to directly help those who are facing a new diagnosis.

"I felt that as someone who has been through the system with multiple cancer diagnoses, I can empathize with those who don't have a clue about what to expect," Marchand explains.

The BC Cancer Agency is distributing information about the sessions to doctor's offices, health care providers, and community resources to encourage patients to attend the orientation session before their first visit. 

* NOTE – Copies of "The Most Important Thing" video are available to the media, and may be used as b-roll to accompany this story.

Nicole Adams
Public Relations Officer
BC Cancer Agency
Ph: (604) 877-6272