Services
Supportive Care professionals are a part of your cancer care team. Some
services are self-referred while others require a referral from a doctor or nurse. For more information about the referral process for services, please review the referral criteria at the end of each section below.
A doctor or nurse can refer cancer patients to a Supportive Cancer Care service. Download referral form
Registered dietitians can help address challenges with eating and nutrition during your cancer treatment.
They can help with nutritional goals, provide suggestions, address questions and complete follow-up re-assessments. See
Nutrition Services to learn more.
Pain and Symptom Management/Palliative Care clinics help manage pain and other physical problems related to any stage of cancer. Types of problems can include nausea, shortness of breath or fatigue. Clinics also assist with care planning and decision-making. See
Pain & Symptom Management to learn more.
Counsellors can speak with you and/or a
family member in person or over the phone about coping with emotions, challenges in relationships and dealing with the practical and financial concerns that can arise because of a cancer diagnosis.
Counsellors lead support groups and education sessions. Different group programs are available at the centres. See
Patient & Family Counselling to learn more.
Physiotherapy (PT) services can help with movement, pain management, fatigue, balance, lymphedema, and more. BC Cancer - Vancouver offers in-person or video appointments with a physiotherapist who will review your symptoms, design a treatment plan based on your needs and goals, and help you get home safety equipment. See Physiotherapy to learn more.
Talk to your oncologist or health care provider about a referral to Physiotherapy at BC Cancer - Vancouver.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors specializing in mental health. Our psychiatrists can help if you have depression, anxiety, insomnia, overwhelming fears and changes in personality or thoughts. Psychiatrists tailor therapy to meet the patient’s individual needs which may include talking and prescribing medications. See
Psychiatry to learn more.
Speech Language Pathology (SLP) services can assist patients to maximize their communication and swallowing abilities.
Assessment and treatment may be needed for swallowing, restricted jaw movement, swelling, speech, language, voice or cognitive disorders that arise as a result of cancer or cancer treatments. See
Speech & Language Pathology to learn more.
We work in a health care system with a history of inequity and discrimination. We know these are still a problem today.
We are very proud of British Columbia's diversity. Our goal is to give the best care to patients and family members of all ages with any racial, ethnic, ancestral, gender, sexual, economic, social, faith and disability background or identity.
Everyone's experience is unique. We want to give each patient and family member a safe place to be heard, appreciated and accepted.
We offer a wide range of programs to help BC Cancer patients manage the physical, emotional, social and practical concerns that come with having a cancer diagnosis and treatments.