Pain & Symptom Management

Our clinics help people with cancer and the people who care for them live better day to day.

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What we do

We offer pain and symptom management clinics at each of our regional cancer centres.

Our clinics can help you:

  • Manage pain more effectively
  • Deal with other physical symptoms related to cancer, such as severe nausea, shortness of breath or extreme tiredness

Our clinics can also:

  • Support you and your family with emotional and social challenges of living with cancer
  • Help with care planning and making decisions, especially when care needs are changing

All cancer patients are welcome at any stage of their cancer journey, during treatment and after treatment.​

Resources

Clinic locations and hours

BC Cancer – Abbotsford

32900 Marshall Road
Abbotsford, BC
V2S 0C2

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Phone: 1-604-870-7470 (press #4)
Toll-free (in BC & Yukon): 1-877-547-3777 ext. 647470
Fax: 604-642-8884

BC Cancer – Kelowna

399 Royal Avenue
Kelowna, BC
V1Y 5L3

Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Program secretary: 250-979-6645
Appointment information, changes or follow-up appointments: 250-712-3959

For treatment questions or medical concerns contact the oncology nurse:
250-712-3944 (for chemotherapy)
250-979-6643 (for radiation)
Toll-free (in BC & Yukon): 1-888-563-7773
Fax: 250-712-3911

BC Cancer – Prince George

1215 Lethbridge Street
Prince George, BC
V2M 7E9

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Phone: 250-645-7313
Toll-free (in BC & Yukon): 1-855-775-7300 ext 68-7313
Fax: 250-645-7351

BC Cancer – Surrey

13750 96th Avenue
Surrey, BC
V3V 1Z2

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Phone: 604-930-2098 ext. 654322
Toll-free (in BC & Yukon): 1-800-523-2885
Fax: 604-587-4312

BC Cancer – Vancouver

600 West 10th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V6Z 4E6

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Phone: 604-877-6000 ext. 676525
Toll-free (in BC & Yukon): 1-800-663-3333 ext. 676525
Fax: 604-877-6221

BC Cancer – Victoria

2410 Lee Avenue
Victoria, BC
V8R 6V5

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Phone: 250-519-5596
Toll-free (in BC & Yukon): 1-800-670-3322 ext 695656
Fax: 250-519-2036

What you should know about Palliative Care: Disease Management = Cure & Control; Palliative Care = Survivorship & Hospice; Both = Symptom Management & Supportive Care  
Mission and values

BC Cancer started the Pain and Symptom Management/Palliative Care (PSMPC) Program in 1998. It was developed with input from palliative care providers in the province and people working within BC Cancer. 

Mission

BC Cancer's Pain and Symptom Management/Palliative Care Program aims to help people with cancer, and their caregivers, have a better quality of life.

The program works with other palliative care partners to do this by:

  • Providing smooth, coordinated care to manage pain, symptoms and palliative needs at every stage of the cancer journey
  • Building knowledge and understanding
  • Putting that knowledge into practice to improve care

Vision

As part of BC Cancer's vision, the Pain and Symptom Management/Palliative Care Program leads the way in providing care that helps manage symptoms and supports people living with cancer. The program aims to meet patients' needs at every stage of care, no matter where they are in their cancer journey or what their treatment goals may be.

Patients, families and community partners reply on the PSMPC Program to:

  • Help patients and families think about and plan for end-of-life decisions throughout the cancer care experience
  • Lead and share new knowledge through research and education
  • Set and use clear standards for managing pain and symptoms in people with cancer

The program is organized at a provincial level to coordinate palliative care work  across BC, while still allowing each cancer centre to keep a strong connection to its local community.

Advanced cancer

Patients and their health care providers should talk openly about how treatment may affect both how long someone lives and how well they live. Sometimes, even with the best care, cancer progresses and can no longer be cured.

At this stage, treatment may still include options such as surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, medications and counselling. Other supports may also be available, including classes, respite care and hospice care.

Palliative care and symptom management are important parts of cancer care and can continue to help patients at this stage of life. Patient and Family Counselling is available to support to patients and caregivers.

2015_PalliativeCarePoster_forWebPage.pdf

 

Advanced cancer means cancer that is not likely to be cured. Health care providers may also call it secondary cancer, metastatic cancer, terminal cancer or progressive cancer.

 

Palliative care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) is medical care that focuses on helping people with serious illnesses feel better. It helps ease symptoms, pain and stress, no matter what the illness is. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and their family.

Palliative care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses and other health care specialists. They work alongside the patient’s other doctors to give extra support. Palliative care is available for people of all ages.

Palliative care can be used at any stage of a serious illness and can be given at the same time as treatments meant to cure the disease. The palliative care team works with the patient to create a care plan that fits their needs. This plan may include medications as well as other kinds of support, such as counselling or practical help.

 

 

You can explore the BC Cancer website to find information about:

  • Managing symptoms and side effects
    Learn ways to reduce symptoms caused by cancer, such as  pain, anxiety or depression, and side effects from treatment, like nausea.
  • Cancer Management Guidelines
    Find information on how health care professionals work to reduce symptoms and treatment side effects.
  • Nutrition
    Learn about healthy eating and nutrition for people with advanced cancer.
  • Cancer spread (metastases)
    Metastases means cancer has spread from where it started to another part of the body. For example, cancer can spread to the liver or bones.
  • Cancer centre libraries
    Each cancer centre has a library with books and videos. You can search the catalogue online and request materials online. We can mail items for free to anyone in BC and the Yukon. Some resources are especially for people near the end of life and their loved ones.
  • Home and community care services
    Learn about care and support services available in your local community.
  • PharmaCare
    PharmaCare helps BC residents pay for some prescription drugs, medical supplies and pharmacy services. The main program is the income-based Fair PharmaCare plan.
  • Advance care planning
    Planning ahead for future health care is important for everyone, not just people whose cancer cannot be cured.
  • Wills
    A will lets you decide what happens to your money and belongings after you die. If you do not have a will, the Public Guardian and Trustee may need to manage your estate.
 

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