Treatment services
Various specialized cancer treatment-related services are available at BC Cancer – Vancouver:
The ambulatory care chemotherapy unit, located on the 6th floor and open Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 6:30 pm, is where all chemotherapy drugs are administered. The length of stay can vary between 30 minutes and 8 hours depending on type of treatment. Patients receiving longer treatments are encouraged to bring a book, personal music player, or their favourite drinks and snacks for their time in the treatment unit.
The ambulatory care unit, located on the 2nd floor of BC Cancer – Vancouver and the 8th floor of the Fairmont Building, is a dedicated clinic area where patients meet their care team. Patients, families and healthcare professionals work together to develop care plans, provide support and education.
Chemotherapy is the treatment that involves use of chemical agents (drugs) to stop cancer cells from growing. Chemotherapy can eliminate cancer cells at sites great distances from the original cancer. As a result, chemotherapy is considered a systemic treatment.
The daycare unit, located on the 6th floor and open 8:30 am to 6:30 pm, provides treatments and procedures which are usually booked in advance. The length of stay in this unit can be between 15 minutes to 8 hours. Patients who need to stay for many hours are encouraged to bring a book, personal music player and their favourite drinks and snacks. Family and friends are welcome during your time on the unit.
The inpatient unit, located on the 5th floor, is for patients who require supportive care and symptom management while receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy. All patients are encouraged to invite their family or friends to visit.
Lab tests are common for most cancer patients, so you will likely visit the laboratory, located on the 3rd floor of the building (turn left out of the elevators), on a regular basis.
At BC Cancer – Vancouver, you will be cared for by registered nurses (RN) who have received additional education in cancer care. Many of our nurses have achieved the designation of Certified Oncology Nurses in Canada.
If you need an x-ray, CT scan, MRI or ultrasound as part of your care you may be asked to visit Radiology (the diagnostic imaging department) located on the 3rd floor of the building (turn left out of the elevators). Radiology provides a variety of imaging services requested by health care professionals and is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more information, call 604-877-6000 ext. 2274.
Specialty certified nurses offer unique care and services in specialty units such as the operating Room, Recovery Room and Day Care. These nurses work closely with the oncologists, radiation therapists, pharmacists, counsellors and other members of the interdisciplinary team to coordinate care and ensure that patient needs are met.
The surgical suite, located on the 2nd floor and open Monday to Friday 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, has two operating rooms, a surgical daycare, post-anesthetic recovery room and sterile supply department. The physicians who operate are surgeons, oncologists or researchers.
