Updated: August 11, 2009
Here is a list of some of our most frequently asked questions:
- What is cancer?
- Where can I find information about cancer prevention?
- What role does nutrition play in cancer?
- How do I find out more about cancer research?
- How do I donate to cancer research?
- Where are the treatment centres?
- What types of treatment therapies are there?
- How do I find more information on cancer drugs?
- Where do I find the drug protocols?
- How do I donate my hair to make wigs for cancer patients undergoing treatment?
- Are there job and/or volunteer opportunities at the BC Cancer Agency or BC Cancer Research Centre?
- Where can I find information about getting checked or screened for cancer?
- How do I change my appointment time?
- Where can I find information about cancer cluster investigations?
1. What is cancer?
For background on cancer, causes and risk factors, and how cancer spreads, please read our Cancer Overview under Types of Cancer.
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2. Where can I find information about cancer prevention?
The BC Cancer Agency Cancer Prevention Program provides details on a variety of prevention activities plus useful tips and links.
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3. What role does nutrition play in cancer?
Please see our Nutritional Support section for information on nutrition in cancer prevention, help for nutritional challenges during treatment, or to arrange to meet with one of our Registered Dietitians.
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4. How do I find out more about cancer research?
The BC Cancer Agency is recognized internationally for excellence in research resulting in new treatment protocols and the development of leading-edge technology. To find out more visit our Research section.
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5. How do I donate to cancer research?
The BC Cancer Foundation is an independent charitable organization that supports breakthrough research and compassionate care through the BC Cancer Agency and BC Cancer Research Centre. There are a number of ways to make donations including online donations, organizing and taking part in special events, and via planned gifts.
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6. Where are the treatment centres?
The five BC Cancer Agency treatment centres in Vancouver, Fraser Valley (Surrey), Abbotsford, Vancouver Island (Victoria), and the Centre for the Southern Interior (Kelowna) provide both radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy is also provided in hospitals and clinics (see Community Services) throughout BC. The BC Cancer Agency's Communities Oncology Network sets standards to ensure consistent treatment regardless of treatment location.
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7. What types of treatment therapies are there?
For information on surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other therapies and patient support, please see Cancer Treatment. Information on treatment of specific cancers is found in the Types of Cancer section. More detailed information about treatment for specific cancers is available in the Cancer Management Guidelines in the section for health care professionals.
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8. How do I find more information on cancer drugs?
Please start with the Cancer Drugs page within Cancer Treatment for general information for patients and a background on drug therapies. To look up descriptions of individual drugs use the Cancer Drug Manual. The database includes patient handouts for drugs and more detailed pharmaceutical monographs.
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9. Where do I find the drug protocols?
The Chemotherapy Protocols provide summaries of the various drug treatment plans for specific cancers used by the BC Cancer Agency Systemic Therapy Program staff at all regional cancer centres.
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10. How do I donate my hair to make wigs for cancer patients undergoing treatment?
The following B.C. companies accept hair donations. In other provinces, please visit the Canadian Cancer Society website and search Hair Donations. The CCS website lists several programmes in Ontario that specialize in creating wigs for children.
General requirements:
Hair swept off the floor is not usable. Hair must be:
- in a ponytail, bundled with ties or elastics at both ends (not loose, not braided)
- at least 8 inches in length (minimum varies per program. See below)
- clean, dry, untreated hair (not permed or coloured)
- mailed in a padded envelope
It isn't possible to meet the recipients of the finished wigs. Include your name and address in the envelope, as acknowledgements may be sent. If your donated hair cannot be used to make a wig, it will not be returned to you.
Hair Donation Program
950 W. Broadway, Unit 107
Vancouver B.C. V5Z 1K7
Hair is accepted by regular mail only - addressed to "Hair Donation Program". Hair should be a minimum of 8" (20cm) in length. Please do not braid.
Havana Technical Hair Design
326 Gilmore Avenue
Burnaby, BC, V5C 4R1
Hair is accepted by regular mail only - addressed to "Hair Donation Program". Hair should be a minimum of 9 inches (23cm) in length. Please do not braid.
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11. Are there job and/or volunteer opportunities at the BC Cancer Agency or BC Cancer Research Centre?
Volunteer opportunities exist at all five BC Cancer Agency Centres. Please see the Volunteer webpage for the centre of your choice: Abbotsford Centre, Centre for the Southern Interior, Fraser Valley Centre, Vancouver Centre, or Vancouver Island Centre.
Available career opportunities at the BC Cancer Agency are noted on our website.
Applications may be dropped off at the BC Cancer Agency Human Resources front desk on the 4th floor, East Tower, City Square, 555 West 12th Avenue. There is no receptionist, but mail can be left there on the counter, or mailed. The general Human Resources phone number during regular office hours is 604 877 6117. There is a recorded message that comes on if the receptionist is away from her desk, which is fairly often.
It should be noted that jobs are first advertised internally at our five cancer centres, then if not filled, advertised externally. It is Human Resources policy to accept resumes even though there are no jobs available.
If you are interested in obtaining work, internships or volunteer opportunities in research please go to Career Opportunities at the BCCRC on our BC Cancer Agency Research Centre website.
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12. Where can I find information about getting checked or screened for cancer?
Information about the various BC Cancer Agency screening programs for detection of breast, cervical, hereditary, lung, and prostate cancers is available under Screening Programs.
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13. How do I change my appointment time?
Abbotsford Centre
Call the appointment desk at 604-851-4710 ex. 645301.
For Radiation appointments call 604-851-4706.
Centre for the Southern Interior (Kelowna)
To reschedule your first visit, please call the physician who referred you to the Cancer Centre. He or she will help you reschedule.
To cancel or reschedule appointments please call between the hours of 7:45 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday:
- for chemotherapy treatment, please call 250.712.3955 or toll-free (within British Columbia) 1.888.563.7773 local 3955
- for radiation treatment, please call the radiation therapy booking clerk at 250.712.3950 or 250.712.3951 or toll-free (within British Columbia) 1.888.563.7773 local 3950 or 3951
Fraser Valley Centre (Surrey)
To cancel or change outpatient appointments please call between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday:
- Appointment Desk 604.930.4001 or toll free 1.800.523.2885 local 4001
Vancouver Centre
To cancel or change your first appointment, call the reception/information desk between the hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday to Friday:
- 604.877.6050 or toll free at 1.800.663.3333 local 6050
- Be sure to inform staff if the cancellation is due to illness
- To cancel or change any later outpatient appointments, please call the Ambulatory Care Unit: 604.877.6000 local 2201 or toll free 1.800.663.3333 local 2201
Vancouver Island Centre (Victoria)
To cancel or reschedule appointments please call between the hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday:
- for chemotherapy and doctor's appointments call 250.519.5646 or 250.519.5655, or toll-free 1.800.670.3322 local 5646 or 5655
- for radiation treatment call 250.519.5650, 250.519.5651, or 250.519.5652, or toll-free 1.800.670.3322 local 5650, or 5651, or 5652
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14. Where can I find information about cancer cluster investigations?
We have produced a page of information about cancer cluster investigations, disease clusters and cancer clusters on this website.