Due to an unexpected temporary closure of the Chalk River Nuclear reactor in Ontario, there is a worldwide shortage of medical isotopes.

The BC Cancer Agency is working closely with the Ministry of Health and regional Health Authorities to ensure that cancer patients continue to receive timely diagnostic procedures requiring medical isotopes, which are conducted at host hospitals located in close proximity to regional cancer centres.

Cancer patients with urgent cases will be prioritized based on clinical assessments, no matter where in the province they reside. In particular, sentinel lymph node biopsies for breast cancer patients undergoing surgery, urgent bone scans allowing physicians to assess the extent of cancer, and heart scans will proceed as normal.

PET scan and other diagnostic imaging appointments at the BC Cancer Agency are proceeding as normal. The radio isotopes used for PET scanning at the Vancouver Centre are produced here in B.C. by an independent supplier and therefore our supply has not been affected by the temporary closure of the Chalk River reactor.

Medical isotopes are used for nuclear imaging tests only – such as certain types of heart, bone and lung scans – and not cancer therapies as some media reports have suggested.

We are monitoring the situation carefully and will continue to work closely with ministry officials who are in contact with Health Canada regarding contingency plans at the national level.

Our foremost priority at the BC Cancer Agency is to ensure patients who are most in need receive the services they need in a timely manner. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your physician.