The Province is investing $20 million dollars to improve radiation therapy services and increase cancer treatment access for thousands of patients, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.

"When someone is diagnosed with cancer, it strikes fear in the heart of that person as well as their family and friends," said Campbell. "But advances in treatment and cancer research offer increasing hope and higher survival rates for cancer patients. We are continuing to make strategic investments in radiation therapy to treat cancer and further improve the survival rates for people who are affected by this terrible disease."

The funds will go to the BC Cancer Agency (BCCA), an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, which provides cancer care across the province. The BCCA will buy new linear accelerators, replace and upgrade existing machines, and provide ancillary equipment, information technology support and renovations to accommodate the new equipment.

Radiation therapy uses powerful x-rays to treat cancer and preserve critical organs, while minimizing side effects and damage to surrounding tissue. Advances in modern technology including three-dimensional imaging technology, computerized treatment planning and high-energy x-ray machines help make this possible.

The BCCA's four provincial treatment centres currently operate 21 linear accelerators, but demand for radiation therapy is growing. The new provincial funding not only allows the agency to increase the number of patients treated through equipment purchases, it also supports investigation of new treatments to improve therapy and options for cancer patients.

Equipment purchases for the provincial radiation program include:

·         Two new linear accelerators in the BCCA's Vancouver Cancer Centre, each with the capacity to provide approximately 9,000 individual treatments per year.

·         One replacement linear accelerator and renovations at the Vancouver Cancer Centre.

·         Two replacement linear accelerators and renovations at Fraser Valley Cancer Centre.

·         CT Simulator replacement for the BCCA's Fraser Valley Cancer Centre.

·         Treatment imaging management hardware.

·         Treatment planning software upgrade.

"B.C. already has the best cancer survival rates in Canada, and this funding will help ensure that the growing number of patients who require radiation therapy will have timely access it," said Health Services Minister Colin Hansen.

The number of cancer patients receiving radiation therapy in British Columbia increased from 9,984 in 2001 to 10,448 in 2003. Last year, the BCCA delivered more than 165,000 radiation therapy treatments in its four cancer centres.

"With the continued rise in cancer incidence, the demand for radiation therapy would have exceeded our ability to provide timely delivery of those services by next year," said Dr. Thomas Keane, Provincial Radiation Oncology program leader with the BCCA. "This investment will allow the agency to increase our capacity to provide radiation therapy, ensuring British Columbians continue to have the best standards of access for radiation treatment in the country."

The $20 million for radiation therapy comes from a fund for diagnostic and medical equipment established by the 2003 First Ministers' Accord on Health Care Renewal. British Columbia will receive a total of $200.1 million from this fund over three years.

For more information, please contact:

Nicole Adams

Public Relations Officer

BC Cancer Agency

604.877.6272

nadams@bccancer.bc.ca