Fighting cancer is never an easy thing to do and during this unprecedented time it may feel even more difficult. Patients and loved ones may be anxious about how COVID-19 will impact their cancer care. A new BC Cancer video message to patients, launched for Patient Experience Week (April 27 to May 1, 2020), aims to address these concerns.

“Cancer journeys have not stopped and neither have we,” says Dr. Kim Nguyen Chi, vice president and chief medical officer, BC Cancer. “You may see changes in the way we work, but the why we work has not changed; we are here to support patients and provide the best patient-centred care we can. We are here for patients, every step of the way.”

The consistent message throughout this pandemic is that BC Cancer is continuing to focus on person-centred care. BC Cancer regional leaders and chief officers reassure patients that continuing their cancer care is important and that patient and staff safety remains our top priority in this video.

In keeping with safety guidelines provided by B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC Cancer has taken steps prevent risk of exposure to COVID-19 at BC Cancer facilities, which include patients and staff being screened for symptoms upon arrival to the centres, enhanced cleaning in all of our public and clinical areas, and reducing footprint at our centres by mailing prescription medications to patients and conducting virtual health appointments. Across the province approximately 800 visits per day take place virtually. This accounts for almost 70 per cent of all assessments performed by oncologists.

Watch the video here.