The British Columbia government is investing $440 million to better detect, prevent and treat cancer.
Premier David Eby says the 10-year plan will save lives and improve the quality of life of B.C. residents now and in the future.
“Nearly every British Columbian has been affected by cancer in some way, through their own diagnosis or that of a family member or friend,” Eby said. “With this significant investment in cancer care, we can prevent and detect cancer earlier and improve access to treatment.”
Added Dr. Kim Chi, the Chief Medical Officer with BC Cancer, “this will be the most significant investment in cancer care the province has ever seen. It will save lives and address the growing demand for cancer care we have today and for the next 10 years as our population grows and ages.”
Cancer screening programs will be expanded with the addition of four more PET/CT scanners, one of which will be in Kelowna.
The money will also support research, technology, and innovation; provide better pay to attract oncologists; and add more cancer centres though there is no word if this will include the long-promised Cancer Care center in Kamloops.
“The NDP’s 10 year cancer plan announced today has no mention of cancer centre they promised to Kamloops in 2020 election,” Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone said. “No money, no timeline, no mention in their 49 page plan.”
“Their promise was to build & open cancer centre by Oct. 2024.”
In Jan. 2021, Health Minister Adrian Dix told NL News that planning is underway for an enhanced cancer care centre in Kamloops.
Last month, Mike O’Reilly, the Chair of the Thompson Regional Hospital District board said progress on the long-promised cancer centre for Kamloops was among their top priorities for this year, though a location has not yet been identified by Interior Health or the Ministry of Health.
“I think what we’ll see is as the infrastructure in the Kelowna cancer clinic starts to age and there needs to be replacement that seems to be a prime and ripe opportunity for replacement equipment to come to Kamloops,” O’Reilly said.
“That being said there needs to be a home where the equipment will go, that’s a big piece of the puzzle.”
In a statement to NL News, the Ministry of Health said the new cancer centre for Kamloops is currently in the concept planning phase.
“We look forward to sharing more details around timelines as the work progresses,” the statement said.
The new strategy does highlight 70 actions to recruit, train and retain health-care workers, while redesigning the system to foster workplace satisfaction and innovation. The government says increased demand has led to a cancer-care system that is “stretched” and can be difficult for patients to use.
Over the next three years, the province plans to expand cervical, lung and hereditary cancer screening, including at-home tests for HPV to identify cervical cancer. The plan also includes expanding hours for treatment and reducing wait times for surgery.
“We’re investing in research, technology and innovation to strengthen cancer care in B.C. and deliver more innovative, evidence-based care for people when and where they need it,” Health Minister, Adrian Dix, added.
“This action plan will help achieve a cancer-free future for more people, accelerate treatment for patients diagnosed with cancer and help thousands more survive their cancer diagnosis.”
Of the $440 million, $270 million will be distributed over the next three years, with the first $90 million to be made available on April 1 this year. The remaining $170 million will to B.C. Cancer Foundation in the form of grants to support cancer research and attract highly skilled cancer-care providers.
Read the plan here.
– With files from The Canadian Press