Updated 27 July 2006

If you are new to the Vancouver Centre, we suggest you also visit the section called "Your First Visit".

The BC Cancer Agency brings together a team of people who work to treat your cancer. Each member of our team plays a special role in your care. Some of our team members deal directly with you to treat your cancer. Others help you deal with the impact of cancer on you, your family, and your friends, while some members do not deal directly with you but are still vital to your treatment including our administrative and support staff.

Effective cancer care involves you, your family doctor, cancer specialists and other health care professionals. Although you will see different health care professionals, your family doctor remains your primary doctor and continues to play a major role in your ongoing care. Your family doctor will receive regular reports regarding your cancer and care from your treatment team.

Your health and comfort are very important to us. We have a well-trained staff available to meet your needs and to help you with any problems, questions or concerns that you might have about your illness and care.

Below is an alphabetical list of some of the healthcare professionals, you may not be familiar with in a cancer care setting, who will be working to treat you:

Your Cancer Care Team

Clerk   
Individuals who receive, process and communicate information to assist healthcare professionals in providing care. This may take many forms e.g. scheduling clinic appointments, booking tests, requesting records or information, taking personal and biographic information for registration etc.

Clinical Associates
Physicians who gather medical information that will assist the oncologist.

Counsellors
Help patients and family (whoever you define as family) clarify your concerns, express emotions, and discover the strengths you need to cope successfully. Their counsel is provided either in private discussions or in a group setting. They also know about the many other community groups and services which are available. Counsellors can also guide patients to practical help available through local agencies, such as financial assistance or help at home.

Families and close friends are also welcome to call on the services available from our staff. You are welcome to call before your first appointment to find out what services are available.

Cytopathologist
Physicians specializing in the diagnosis of cancer by the microscopic examination body fluids (including cervical (Pap) smears. A Cytopathologist also performs fine needle aspiration biopsies and provides a diagnosis to the doctor within a few minutes of the procedure in order to minimize delays in treatment planning by the oncologists.

Cytotechnologist 
Screens cytology preparations using a microscope and marks areas that appear abnormal so that they can be reviewed by a Cytopathologist who issues a diagnosis.  In the case of Pap smears, cytotechnologists also report normal findings and non-malignant changes noted by microscopic examination.

Dentists
Both chemotherapy and radiotherapy can produce changes in the mouth, such as soreness or dryness. The Oral Oncology Department is available to help manage mouth problems if they arise. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding mouth care as you go through treatment.

Dermatologist
Specialist in skin cancer.

Dietitians (Registered)
You and your family may have a number of questions about nutrition. "Should I change the way I eat during cancer treatment?" or "What can I do if I have lost my appetite or I am losing weight?"  Our Registered Dietitians (RD) are skilled in the nutritional care of people with cancer and offer counselling to manage with the various nutritional difficulties which might arise during your treatment. 

Genetic Counsellors
Health professionals with a specialized graduate degree and experience in the areas of medical genetics and counselling. Genetic counsellors work as members of a health care team, providing information and support to families who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions.

Genetic Pathologist
Physician specializing in genetic testing of inherited cancers, cancer genetics, cancer cytogenetics and molecular pathology.

Haematopathologist
Physician specializing in the diagnosis of leukemia and lymphoma and other blood, lymph gland, spleen and bone marrow disorders.

Laboratory Assistant   
Assists technologists in sample preparation for analysis.

Laboratory Technologist   
Prepares blood, body fluids, and tissues for analysis by automated instruments, microscopy, molecular analysis, flow cytometry, and performs analysis by such methods.

Librarians
Manage the Library and Cancer Information Centre, and are available to answer any questions you may have. They can find resources and articles for you about cancer, its treatment and how to cope with the disease.

Medical Biochemist
Physician specializing in the interpretation of biochemical changes in blood associated with cancer and other conditions.

Medical Geneticist
Physician with specialized training and experience in the areas of medical genetics and counselling. They also provide information and support to families who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions.

Medical Physicist
Professionals with specialized training in the medical applications of physics. Their work often involves the use of x-rays, ultrasound, magnetic and electric fields, infrared and ultraviolet light, heat and lasers in diagnosis and therapy. Medical physicists work in radiation therapy, radiation safety, diagnostic imaging and research development.

Nurses
Oncology nurses are Registered Nurses who have additional education in cancer care. They administer chemotherapy treatments or care for patients while they are receiving radiation therapy and other treatments. Other nurses work on the in-patient units caring for patients who must stay in hospital.  Some nurses also work with patients who are receiving investigational treatments.

Many patients will meet an oncology nurse on their first visit to the BC Cancer Agency and on an ongoing basis while receiving treatment.  At any other time patients may ask to speak with a nurse.  During regular business hours you can also phone in to the Cancer Centre to speak with a nurse. The nurse will know when it is best to refer you to another health professional to manage a problem or concern.

For example, a nurse could help in the following situations:

• Understanding what to expect through treatment
• teaching patients how to prevent and manage side effects
• suggesting ways to stay as well as possible during and between treatments
• supporting patients in managing difficult situations. 

Oncologist
A physician who is certified in the field of cancer (oncology) and who specializes in the diagnosis, biology, and treatment of cancer. They will study your cancer and recommend a treatment program, including the types of tests that you will need.

Radiation Oncologist: A radiation oncologist primarily uses radiation to treat or control cancer and its symptoms, although they may also use drug treatments. They will decide how long your treatment will last and will monitor your progress during and after treatment. Radiation therapy uses beams of high-energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells. A radiation oncologist works with a team of physicists to design your radiation therapy plan.

Medical Oncologist: A medical oncologist uses treatments such as chemotherapy, gene therapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy etc. to treat and control cancer and its symptoms. These treatments may be taken orally or by injection through a vein in your arm. A medical oncologist will discuss your treatment with you and will recommend a treatment program, however, the actual treatment will be carried out by a number of other health care professionals.

Surgical Oncologist: A surgeon who specializes in cancer operations.

Pathologist 
Physicians specializing in cancer diagnosis and predictive testing.  They ensure that each patient's diagnosis is correct, that each cancer is correctly classified, graded (the probable growth rate of the tumour and its tendency to spread) and staged (the extent of the cancer within the body), and where necessary, orders additional tests for guiding therapy by oncologists.

Pharmacists
Professionals who prepare the drugs, which are administered while you are at the Centre, and will provide you with the drugs you might need to take at home. Drugs not provided by the Agency may be purchased at a retail pharmacy. You will be provided with written instructions for taking your medication. 

Phlebotomists
Highly experienced in obtaining blood samples from patients with minimal pain or bruising.

Physiotherapists
A specialist trained using exercise and physical activities to condition muscles and improve level of activity. Physiotherapy is helpful in those with a physical debilitating illness. 

Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are trained medical specialists in the diagnosis and management of mental illness. They help cancer patients at the Agency with psychological, emotional or behavioural problems, whether new or pre-existing, throughout the course of their journey with cancer. Referral to a psychiatrist at the agency is made through an attending oncologist or Patient and Family Counselling Services’ counsellor.

Radiation Therapist
Radiation therapists are specially trained to deliver your radiation treatment and operate the radiation therapy equipment.

Radiographers / Diagnostic Imaging Technologists
Register radiographers are trained in the techniques for safely obtaining images, including general X-rays, ultrasound, computerized tomography, mammograms and magnetic resonance images (MRIs) for the purpose of diagnosing illness and monitoring the patients' response to therapy.

Radiologist
Physicians who specialize in the use of imaging techniques (X-rays, Ultrasound, CT, MRI, fine needle biopsy, etc.) for diagnosis or in assisting treatment, for example in inserting catheters into blood vessels, in choking the blood supply of a tumour by injection of a type of glue, etc.

Respiratory Therapist
A respiratory therapist is responsible for the administration of diagnostic lung function tests and of procedures to restore optimal use of your lungs.

Volunteers
Volunteers enhance the quality of care for both patients and families as well as complementing the role of the staff throughout the Agency.