BC Cancer – Prince George carries out clinical trials and community-based research. These studies focus on cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment timelines, specific treatments and life after cancer (survivorship).
BC Cancer – Prince George is committed to giving patients access to world-class clinical trials and research opportunities. At the same time, it is building a research program that meets the unique needs of people living in northern BC.
The centre works closely with many partners, including:
- Researchers and health care professionals
- Community organizations and community health representatives
- Tribal councils
- Cancer patients and their families
- University of Northern British Columbia
- University of British Columbia
- Other academic institutions and research teams across the province
The Research Leadership Team at BC Cancer – Prince George (Centre for the North) includes experts from different fields. The team meets regularly to set research priorities, review projects and build partnerships.
Team members include:
- Dr. Rob Olson, research and clinical trials lead, radiation oncologist (click here to learn more)
- Dr. Stacy Miller, regional professional practice leader, radiation oncologist
Together with staff and regional partners, the team has identified four key research priorities:
BC Cancer – Prince George (Centre for the North) opened in November 2012, with strong support from communities across northern BC.
Before that, many patients had to travel to other regions for care. Now, patients can get treatment closer to home.
Because of this, improving access to care remains a key focus. Current research looks at barriers to care and ways to remove them. The centre continues to grow this work with support from northern health, academic and community partners.
BC Cancer – Prince George (Centre for the North) aims to involve 75% of new patients and staff in research through the PREDICT (Personal Response Determinants in Cancer Therapy) program.
The Biobank Resource Centre and the UBC Office of Biobank Education and Research (OBER), in partnership with CTRNet, guide this work. These groups promote best practices in biobanking and research.
PREDICT has already launched successfully at BC Cancer sites in Victoria and Kelowna.
BC Cancer – Prince Georgeworks with academic partners to train students and support hands-on research experience.
Providing care in northern BC comes with unique challenges and rewards. Students often gain skills they may not learn in larger urban centres.
By training students in the North, the program hopes more graduates will choose to live and work in northern BC. This helps strengthen cancer care and research in the region.
The centre welcomes students at all stages, including undergraduate, medical, postgraduate, residents and fellows. Many have already completed research projects at the site.
BC Cancer – Prince George is working to expand clinical trials in Prince George and across northern BC.
The centre partners with the Community Oncology Network (CON) to improve follow-up care and monitoring for patients in remote communities.
These clinica trials give people in northern BC a chance to take part in cutting-edge cancer research and help advance cancer care across BC and Canada.
