$14 million in state of the art radiation therapy equipment to benefit local cancer patients

Today, $14 million in radiation therapy equipment was delivered to the BC Cancer Agency’s Abbotsford Centre, set to open in summer 2008. The four linear accelerators, funded by the Ministry of Health, are the first major pieces of equipment to be delivered to the new Abbotsford Centre, which is integrated within the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre.

“This state of the art equipment has the ability to target cancer cells within the body so that there is less overall radiation,” said Health Minister George Abbott. “This technology will further enhance patients’ treatment and build on the outstanding cancer care provided here in British Columbia, whether it's through prevention, diagnosis, treatment or research.”

A team of medical physicists at the BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, will spend the next few months putting the machines through rigorous testing before they can be used in a treatment setting.

“The delivery of the four linear accelerators is a major milestone in our commitment to bring better access to specialized medical care for residents of Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley,” said Abbotsford-Mount Lehman MLA Mike de Jong. “We are meeting our commitment to improve health care delivery.”

“This radiation therapy equipment will improve cancer treatment and outcomes for patients in our community,” said Abbotsford-Clayburn MLA John van Dongen. “Having the best equipment is critical in winning the battle against this terrible disease.”

The new Abbotsford Centre will serve approximately 2,500 new patients annually. Approximately 60% of people diagnosed with cancer receive radiation therapy at some point in the course of their treatment.

“This is an exciting stage of the project. We’ve been planning for months for the delivery of these pieces of equipment,” says Olwen Demidoff, Director of Clinical Operations, Radiation Therapy, for the Agency’s Fraser Valley Centre and the new Abbotsford Centre. “Now the hands-on work of preparing these machines for clinical use begins.”

“With the latest in technology, we’ll also be able to attract more experienced cancer providers to the Fraser Valley who will provide compassionate care and conduct research into better treatments and outcomes for our patients,” adds Demidoff.

“Cancer outcomes in B.C. are among the best in Canada,” said Wynne Powell, Chair of the PHSA Board of Directors. “As the new BC Cancer Agency Abbotsford Centre comes on-stream in 2008 with the very latest technology the benefits will be evident throughout the region and across the province.”

A linear accelerator is used in radiation therapy to treat a variety of cancers. Radiation therapy uses radiation (high-energy rays) to kill or shrink tumour cells. Radiation therapy is often used in conjunction with other forms of treatment, like chemotherapy or surgery to treat cancerous tumours. With the addition of the four linear accelerators in Abbotsford, the Agency will have 28 linear accelerators located at its regional cancer centres.

The BC Cancer Agency Abbotsford Centre is the fifth of the regional centers that are at the heart of the Agency’s provincial cancer control network. The new centre will provide a full range of cancer control services, including, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, clinical trials, and supportive care, such as patient and family counseling, nutritional assessment, pain and symptom management and palliative care.

The BC Cancer Agency, an agency 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 Foundation raises funds to support research and enhancements to patient care at the BC Cancer Agency.

For more information, please contact:

Jinny Wu
Communications Specialist
BC Cancer Agency
Tel: 604.877.6272

Toll-free: 1.800.663.3333, ex 6272
jwu2@bccancer.bc.ca