Sweet solution for mouth sores caused by radiation treatment
In October, Drs. Pippa Hawley, Pain and Symptom Management, and Allan Hovan, Oral Medicine, teamed up to launch a novel clinical trial to investigate the effectiveness of a honey-based gel to provide relief for mouth sores, a common side effect for patients treated with radiation therapy for head and neck cancers.
The gum and tissues of the mouth and tongue are especially sensitive to radiation therapy. Almost 75 percent of patients will have sores or ulcers on the gums and tongue, making eating and swallowing difficult and sometimes affecting or delaying treatment.
“It’s very difficult to reduce the severity or duration of mucositis with current treatments,” says Dr. Pippa Hawley, principal investigator. “A number of clinical trials have looked at antiseptics for pain relief, but those haven’t been successful. So far there is no medication that has been proven to prevent or reduce mucositis.”
However, Pippa and Allan were intrigued by two small trials showing that a specially treated honey was effective in promoting the healing of wounds, suggesting the product should be more widely tested. “Ours is one of the first large-scale trials to test the effectiveness of the gel,” says Pippa. “We hope to recruit 180 patients over the next two years for the double-blind study.”
“It is important that patients do not try to treat themselves for mouth sores during cancer treatment with commercially available honeys,” says Pippa. “These products are either sterilized by a process which may remove a potentially beneficial effect or, if not sterilized, could contain a germ which can cause a serious infection. The study gel and placebo are guaranteed free of this infection, so are safe to take during cancer treatment.”
Study documents are available for Cantonese or Mandarin-speaking patients. For more information, please contact Pippa at phawley@bccancer.bc.ca
BC Cancer Foundation donors, including Macdonald Realty's Vancouver Office and friends and colleagues of Joy Langan, provided funding for the trial.
Advancing Strategic Direction #2
Establish the knowledge generation and application model within the provincial cancer control platform.
New funding to accelerate cord blood stem cell findings in adult patients
Scientists at the BC Cancer Agency with partners across Canada will collaborate on a new clinical and translational research project on the use of cord blood cells for adult patients who need stem cell transplants.
This project is an important partnership between the Stem Cell Network and several biotech partners who have joined forces to support an integrated research effort across Canada that will focus on developing new ways of improving the use of umbilical cord blood stem cell transplants.
“Umbilical cord blood is an untapped resource of cells for transplantation,” explains Dr. Connie Eaves of the BC Cancer Agency, project leader for this research. “Cells in cord blood are potent, and it looks as if this might have some promise for adults.”
For a full copy of the press release, please visit:
www.bccancer.bc.ca/ABCCA/NewsCentre/2008/cordbloodstemcells.htm Advancing Strategic Direction #2
Establish the knowledge generation and application model within the provincial cancer control platform.
Physicians can now directly order hereditary colon cancer test
The PSHA/BC Cancer Agency’s Genetics Laboratory is now offering genetic testing for all new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in individuals under 50 years of age. Surgeons, oncologists, pathologists and family physicians can directly order the test without an initial referral to the BC Cancer Agency’s Hereditary Cancer Program.
There are approximately 200 cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in the under 50 group in British Columbia each year. An estimated five to 10 percent of these cases are due to an inherited susceptibility to a particular type of colorectal cancer called Lynch Syndrome.
Now physicians have relatively quick and direct access to preliminary screening that can help identify those patients at greater risk and those who should go on to have more extensive genetic testing for Lynch Syndrome.
“A systematic approach to testing all cases of colorectal under 50 in the province by MSI analsyis will help to improve the effectiveness of identifying Lynch Syndrome in patients.” says Carol Cremin, genetic counsellor. “We’re very pleased to be able to offer this test in B.C. to help identify families who are at high risk and provide them with the appropriate early screening."
The test, Microsatellite Instability (MSI), looks for genomic instability involving repetitive DNA sequences.
For instructions on how to order an MSI analysis, please go to: www.bccancer.bc.ca/NR/rdonlyres/299F69DD-84C0-4856-9026-0D0D31B78F74/30014/MSItestingPathologyRequestForm.pdf
Patients will also need to be tested (this is the control needed for tumour testing).
The requisition for testing is available on-line at: www.bccancer.bc.ca/NR/rdonlyres/299F69DD-84C0-4856-9026-0D0D31B78F74/29000/MolecularGeneticsLabreqform.pdf
Results from MSI testing take three to six weeks from receipt of paraffin blocks. Patients with MSI-high results should be referred to the Hereditary Cancer Program for genetic counselling and testing. MSI-stable results are not suggestive of Lynch syndrome and no further genetic testing is recommended.
"This expanded access to MSI testing is for the purposes of screening for hereditary non-polyposis cancer syndrome," says Dr. Sharlene Gill, chair of the GI Tumour Group. "The utility and broader availability of MSI testing as a clinical predictive marker for adjuvant treatment decisions in resected colorectal cancer is currently being explored by the GI Tumour Group."
Advancing Strategic Direction #3
Support regional centres, regions and communities with the implementation of provincial cancer control programs and the integration of knowledge.
Accreditation 2009: Achieving standards and required organizational practices
In the last few issues, our focus has been on the standards and required organizational practices (ROPs) the Agency needs to demonstrate before receiving Accreditation. Last month, Accreditation surveys completed by staff across the regional centres gave an internal check of whether we are applying standards and ROPs consistently and where there may be opportunities for improvement. From these surveys, Agency teams will develop “roadmaps” to help guide us towards achieving a successful Accreditation in June 2009.
Just what are standards and ROPs and how do they fit together? The core standards (located on the h:drive at H:\EVERYONE\BCCA Accreditation 2009\New Standards 2009) look at how well we provide cancer care and oncology services; do we meet the need of the population we serve; are we a proactive and supportive organization; do we have the safety processes in place for medication management and infection prevention and control? For the Vancouver Centre, Accreditators will also review two additional standards for diagnostic imaging and operating room practices.
Embedded within the seven core standards are 29 ROPs which fall under the categories of culture, communication, medication use, work/life/workforce, and infection control. These 29 ROPS must be met by an organization before it receives full Accreditation. Any red flags result in an Accreditation with conditions, or non-accreditation.
For example, for Infection Control the ROPs include:
- Infection control guidelines
- Education/training on hand-hygeine
- Knowledge of infection rates
- Sterilization of equipment and facilities
- Administration of the influenza vaccine
- Hand-hygiene audit
The BC Cancer Agency’s Quality Council has struck a provincial Accreditation Project Team to provide support to regional teams. Leading staff through the Accreditation process is Dr. Neil Berman, Director, Business Development for the Agency. Other team members include Fiona Bees, Kris Gustavson, Susan Widera, Judy Wang and Karim Karmali.
If you’d like more information about Accreditation, please contact Neil at nberman@bccancer.bc.ca
Advancing Strategic Direction #1
To sustain and advance the BC Cancer Agency's system of cancer control.
Sexuality and cancer topic at Agency’s Community Cancer Forum
On November 22, the BC Cancer Agency will host its annual Community Cancer Forum, sponsored by the Provincial Health Services Authority. The forum brings together experts in the oncology field to address the issues and concerns that affect cancer patients and their loved ones.
Addressing the sexual concerns faced by cancer patients and their partners is one of the topics by guest speaker Dr. Lori Brotto, assistant professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, and registered psychologist. Dr. Brotto will provide insight on the sexual problems common with cancer, how to find solutions to sexual problems, create or maintain intimacy, and talk to health care providers about this sensitive topic.
“Sexual problems are common among cancer patients,” explains Dr. Brotto. “Depending on the type of cancer and treatment, up to 80 percent of women and around 60 percent of men experience sexual difficulties.”
“Apart from coping with a cancer diagnosis and treatment, many patients also deal with a loss in sexual desire, pain, erectile dysfunction, fear of sexual activity, and an altered body image.”
Other unique sessions at the Community Cancer Forum include:
- Whole Person Approach to Cancer Care: Empowering the Mind, Body and Spirit
- Picking up the Pieces: Moving Forward After Surviving Cancer
- Complementary Medicine: How to Make Decisions That are Right for You
- Families Coping with Cancer: Good Intentions & Imperfect Realities
Help make this year’s BC Cancer Agency’s Community Cancer Forum a success and spread the word. The forum is free and registration is not required. It will be held at the Westin Bayshore, located at 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver B.C., from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 22. For more information, please visit www.bccancer.bc.ca/communitycancerforum
Navigator program for Chinese-speaking patients
A cancer diagnosis invokes fear and anxiety in most patients. Those feelings are further compounded when patients don’t understand what’s happening because of language and cultural barriers.
A pilot program at the Agency’s Vancouver Centre is mobilizing bilingual Chinese and English-speaking survivors, who are at least one year post-treatment, to help newly diagnosed Chinese-speaking patients to provide them with the support they need to “navigate” the cancer system. Funded by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, the pilot program will be offered to those diagnosed with head and neck cancers, a prevalent type of cancer in the Chinese population.
The goal of the Chinese Patient Navigator program is three-fold: to provide information about the cancer journey; to provide peer support from someone who has gone through the experience; and to support patients’ access to practical resources available at the Agency and in the community. Included in a toolkit for volunteer navigators is a care map to visually explain the treatment process to patients, and a list of bi-lingual resources. The navigators are not interpreters or translators, nor do they provide decision-making support.
“From prior research at the BC Cancer Agency with Chinese-speaking patients, we know they often experience worry, anxiety, fear and feelings of helplessness, because they’re not aware of available resources, and when they are, they have difficulty accessing those resources because of language barriers,” says Sandy Kwong, social worker, Patient & Family Counseling Services.
“This program was developed to enhance the support we provide for these patients, and empower them to be more self-sufficient in obtaining the information they need, so they can take better care of themselves.”
Pilot program team members include Dr. Maria Cristina Barroetavena (Team Leader), Shirley Tsang, Kirsten Smillie, Gina MacKenzie (Patient & Family Counselling) and Sandy Kwong. An Advisory Committee formed by Dr. Barry Sheehan, Karen Janes, Cathy Rayment, Lisa Kenyon and Deborah Rusch are providing advice for the development and implementation of this project.
For more information about the program, please contact the project coordinator, Shirley Tsang at 604.877.6000, local 4618.
Advancing Strategic Direction #1
Sustain and advance the BC Cancer Agency's system of cancer control.
New corporate intranet, PHSA on-Demand, now available
On Oct 29, PHSA launched its new, more user-friendly intranet that makes it easier for you to find the information you need quickly and easily.
PHSA on Demand (or POD for short) will help you:
- Connect more quickly with the information you need to do your job.
- Learn about the organization and connect with fellow employees.
- Enable you to pursue education and career development opportunities.
POD is organized by function, rather than by department. Instead of having to remember which department looks after what, you will find content organized by categories using plain-language labels that reflect how average employees told us they expect to find information.
POD will feature a searchable employee directory. You'll be able to type in a first name, last name or department to find any individual in PHSA.
For this directory to be a useful tool, we need your help. While all the information we currently have is in the employee directory, we are missing contact details for many of you, or the information we have may be incorrect. Take a moment when you visit POD to check your information in the PHSA directory to make sure it is up-to-date. You can edit your phone number, title, department, agency and address.
To access POD, just type "pod" (http://pod) into your browser. Communities of practice (team sites) are staying as-is – all your links and bookmarks will still work and these sites are also accessible with a couple of clicks from POD.
Purchase your 2008 BC Cancer Foundation Holiday Cards
This year, the BC Cancer Foundation is providing six outstanding designs that capture the scenic winter beauty of our province.
Order through our website (
www.bccancerfoundation.com/cards) to take advantage of the following features:
- Select from six greeting messages and apply to any card design
- Choose custom imprinting
- Design your own cards by adding a personalized greeting
- View an instant online proof of your imprinting layout
- Receive delivery within 10 working days
Minimum online order is 25 cards. Packages of 10 cards, in various designs, are also available through the BC Cancer Foundation gift shop or regional offices.
Gifts to feel good about
Visit the BC Cancer Foundation’s virtual retail store for great new gifts for friends and family. Part of every purchase is donated to the BC Cancer Foundation to support research and enhancements to care at the BC Cancer Agency:
www.bccancerfoundation.com/giftshop
Watercolours by Jim Barnum
Beautiful streetscapes from Paris or French countryside landscapes, as well as scenes closer to home. The artist can also create a watercolour or ink drawing of your house. Sizes, prices range from 21 X 26 cm at $50 to 51 X 74 cm at $195.
Also in store:
- Waterproof, windproof and breathable BC Cancer Foundation rain jackets in black or blue. $80
- BC Cancer Foundation collapsible umbrellas open and close with one touch. $15
- Servers for a Cure 2009 calendar. $20
- A Princess Meets Her Prince Charming by Arlene Sheppard. A young girl’s battle with cancer, based on her journal entries. $12
- Aluminium water bottles: BC Cancer Foundation aluminum water bottles are light weight, eco-friendly and BPA free. $15
Shop at www.bccancerfoundation.com/giftshop, or in Vancouver at 2560 Heather Street.
Contact the BC Cancer Foundation
Provincial Office:
604.877.6040
infobccf@bccancer.bc.ca
Abbotsford:
Liz Harris
604.851.4736
lharris3@bccancer.bc.ca
Fraser Valley:
Kate Ludlam
604.707.5900 ext. 4960
kludlam@bccancer.bc.ca
Southern Interior:
Cynthia Waldek-Peters
250.712.3910
cwaldekpeters@bccancer.bc.ca
Vancouver Island:
Laura Walsh
250.519.5554
lwalsh@bccancer.bc.ca
Vancouver:
Sharon Kennedy
604.877.6040
skennedy@bccancer.bc.ca
Long service awards
On October 30th the BC Cancer Agency recognized employees who completed 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of continuous service at the annual Long Service Awards ceremony. The Agency was pleased to include PHSA Corporate employees who were previously employed at the BC Cancer Agency and met the Long Service Award criteria.
The following employees were acknowledged at this year’s ceremony:
20 years of serviceAlexandra Lea, Radiation Oncology Treatment (VC)
Barbara Cooper, Operating Room (VC)
Brenda Bevis, Radiation Oncology Treatment (VC)
Christine Salski, Cancer Genetics Lab (VC/PHSA Corporate)
Cynara Ng, Research Clinical Trials (VC)
Dolores March, Oncology Screening (VC/PHSA Corporate)
Ginette Huart, Pre-Analytical Labs (VC/PHSA Corporate)
Hazel Vey, Radiation Oncology Treatment Planning (VIC)
Ivo Olivotto, Radiation Oncology (VIC)
Kevin Mason, Business Planning (VC/PHSA Corporate)
Lani Bishop, Clinical Information Services (AC/PHSA Corporate)
Marion Goldie, Radiation Oncology Treatment Planning (VIC)
Ming Fong, Radiation Oncology Treatment Planning (VC)
Mladen Korbelik, Research Cancer Imaging (CRC)
Pauline Panek, IMIT (VC/PHSA Corporate)
Peggy Olive, Medical Biophysics (CRC)
Peter Lansdorp, Terry Fox Lab (CRC)
Ralph Durand, Discovery (CRC)
Raymond Wong, Oncology Screening (VC/PHSA Corporate)
Robert Ward, General Plant Operations (VC)
Sheila Buttar, Oncology Screening (VC/PHSA Corporate)
Sherry Reid, Data & Evaluation (AC)
Susan Walisser, Pharmacy (VIC)
25 years of service
David Gavin, Data & Evaluation (VC)
Diana Hass, Patient & Family Counselling (VC)
Heather McLeod, Lab Procurement (VC/PHSA Corporate)
Karen Sill, Research Clinical Trials (VC)
Kenneth Wilson, Systemic Therapy (VIC)
Mary Mullany, Radiation Oncology Treatment Planning (VC)
Shera-Lea Paterson, Terry Fox Lab (CRC)
Terry Chivers, Systemic Therapy (VIC)
William Kwa, Radiation Oncology Treatment Planning (VC)
30 years of service
Arlene Adams, Immunology (VC)
Carrie Jang, Administration (GSC)
Daria Hartley, Advanced Therapeutics (VC)
Greg McGregor, Surgical Oncology (VC)
Ian Mernone, Warehouse Operations (VC)
Marilyn Paradis, Radiation Therapy (FVC)
Naomi Kamezawa, Lab Procurement (VC/PHSA Corporate)
Peter Stevenson-Moore, Dentistry (VC)
Sarah Robertson, Multi-Media Services (VC)
Terri McQueen, Commissioning & Operations (AC)
35 years of service Emily Baptiste, Research Epidemiology (CRC)
Olwen Demidoff, Radiation Oncology Treatment (FVC)
Stop the bug – get a flu shot
Influenza season is upon us. To help protect you, your family and our patients, Employee Wellness & Safety is holding its annual flu shot clinics at the BC Cancer Agency for staff, students and volunteers. Clinics run through November (and some in December). It only takes a few minutes and you can attend any clinic across the PHSA.
“Many people don’t realize we can carry and spread the flu virus even if we don’t feel sick,” says Kathy Wills, Manager, Health Promotion, Employee Wellness & Safety. “Getting a flu vaccination and using good infection control practices - such a frequent hand-washing - significantly reduces the risk of catching the flu and passing it on to others more vulnerable.”
If you get your flu shot off-site, or if you have a medical condition and are advised not to get a flu shot, please notify Employee Wellness & Safety in writing. This is for your PHSA Health File in case of a flu outbreak. Get a copy of the Proof of Influenza Immunization form at http://pod under 2008/09 Influenza Campaign, at PHSA flu clinics, or by emailing ews@phsa.ca.
Clinics:
For schedules, check posters, http://pod or the Flu Line at 604.875.7288
Clinic staff will ask you to read this before your flu shot. Save time and read it now:
http://www.bchealthguide.org/healthfiles/pdf/hfile12d.pdf Great prizes are available, so get a flu vaccine and enter to win.
More information:
ews@phsa.ca
Newsmakers
BC Cancer Agency staff throughout the province raised $119,568 for the United Way Campaign this year. Thank you to all of those who supported and participated in this year’s campaigns. You’ve helped make a difference in our community for those that truly need it. With your help the United Lower Mainland is be able to provide support to thousands of people each year.
Dr. Kong Khoo (Medical Oncologist, CSI) received the first ever annual BC Cancer Agency Centre for the Southern Interior award for his significant contributions to community cancer care in the Interior, and his deep commitment to providing quality care for patients throughout Canada. Kong joined the Agency in 1997 and he has been instrumental in furthering the communities oncology network and family practice oncology network in the Interior, and using Tele-health to bring speciality services to communities. He is also the vice-chair of the Cancer Advocacy Coalition.
“Over the years, it has seemed that whenever there was an issue, Kong was there to deal with it, and in fact, on many occasions it seemed Kong was everywhere,” says Dr. Ed Hardy, medical oncologist and friend. “One day Kong was in Cranbrook, the next Kamloops, the next back in Kelowna, and sometimes he would appear on my doorstep in Vernon at 9 p.m. just to check in and see if everything was all right.”
In recognition of Kong’s significant contributions, the annual award will be named in his honour.
Dr. Lynne Nakashima (Professional Practice Leader, Pharmacy, VC) is this year's recipient of the Canadian Association of Pharmacy in Oncology (CAPhO) Distinguished Service Award. This award, nominated by the membership, is bestowed annually to a candidate who is an ambassador for the oncology pharmacy profession and demonstrates ongoing contribution and commitment to the organization.
Lynne's nomination recognizes her tireless efforts on behalf of CAPhO. She served as President in 2003-2005 and Past President in 2006 and is currently a member of the Membership Committee. In addition, she has represented oncology pharmacy nationally through her involvement in the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer Human Resources Working Group and the Health Canada Scientific Advisory Committee on Oncology Therapeutics. She is also involved in the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practice Publications Committee.
But what really makes Lynne special was described by her nominators - "what really makes her stand out is that she does it so effortlessly with a genuine desire to enhance the profession. She never hesitates to take on new initiatives and influence colleagues around her to strive for education, involvement and progress.”
This year, the
HPV Vaccine Planning Team, a collaboration between the BC Cancer Agency and the BC Centre for Disease Control, received an honourable mention for their work to develop a province-wide implementation plan for the vaccine. Named in honour of the late Dr. John F. McCreary, first Coordinator of Health Sciences at UBC, the prize is awarded each year for the best example of a health care initiative in the Province of British Columbia. This initiative must demonstrate innovative cooperation between three or more health care disciplines. The intent of this award is to recognize creative interprofessional teamwork leading to improved patient care.