Minister of Health Services Colin Hansen today officially opened two renovated and updated radiation therapy suites at the BC Cancer Agency's Vancouver Centre, thanks to $5.9 million in funding from the provincial government.

"B.C. can be proud that we have among the best survival rates for cancer in Canada, and the world class treatment available through the BC Cancer Agency is a key factor in that success, said Hansen. "This new equipment will enable our medical specialists to further improve our treatment capacity for patients."

Through the Provincial Health Services Authority, the Ministry of Health Services provided the funding for two linear accelerator (linac) machines and upgraded bunkers, replacing two 13-year-old machines. This provides the Agency with a better capacity to offer two emerging radiation therapies: Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Treatment (IMRT) and stereotactic radiation therapy.

IMRT is a technique that allows an intense amount of radiation to be delivered in a manner that conforms to a very specific tumour target, while sparing the surrounding, healthy tissue from radiation damage.  Stereotactic radiation therapy involves the use of multiple radiation fields to deliver radiation with extreme precision to tumours that are very close to critical structures. It is used for small, localized tumours in the brain, head and neck areas.

"As an agency of the PHSA, the BC Cancer Agency is the sole provider of radiation therapy to cancer patients, providing 163,000 radiation therapy treatments to more than 10,000 patients in the province each year," says PHSA president and CEO, Lynda Cranston. "The already high level of demand for cancer treatment and therapies is growing as our population ages, and this upgrade to some of the most advanced equipment available helps ensure that the Agency continues to provide British Columbians with the highest possible quality of care."

Cancer patients in B.C. receive radiation therapy treatment within the national standards, from consultation to treatment, because of the BC Cancer's Agency's expanded capacity over the last ten years. In addition to acquiring new and upgraded equipment, the Agency focuses on recruiting and retaining radiation therapists, radiologists, medical physicists, and other specialized care providers.

"The Agency is grateful for the funding that has allowed us to maintain desirable wait times for radiation therapy," notes Dr. Simon Sutcliffe, president of the BC Cancer Agency. "The two replacement units are part of a network of more than 20 linear accelerator machines that allow the Agency to deliver treatment to patients across the province."

The upgrade of these bunkers and machines is an important step in the BC Cancer Agency's overall strategy to keep pace with the increasing need for cancer care and treatment in B.C.

The BC Cancer Agency, a part of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Research Centre conducts research into the causes and cures for cancer.

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates selected specialty and province-wide health care services across BC, working with the five geographic health authorities to meet local and regional needs. A portion of this role involves operating health care agencies that focus on specialty health care services for the entire province. The agencies operated by the PHSA are: BC Cancer Agency; BC Centre for Disease Control; BC Provincial Renal Agency; BC Transplant Society; Children's & Women's Health Centre of BC (including BC's Children's Hospital, BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre and Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children); the Forensic Psychiatric Service Commission and Riverview Hospital. The PHSA has a budget of more than $1 billion and 10,000 employees.

For more information, please contact:

Nicole Adams

Public Relations Officer

BC Cancer Agency

Ph: (604) 877-6272

Pager: (604) 641-5167