While significant progress has been providing cancer care services, B.C.害羞草研究所檚 health minister points out there is still more to do. 

Adrian Dix held a news conference at the BC Cancer Clinic - Kelowna June 27, providing a one-year update on the NDP害羞草研究所檚 10-Year Cancer Care Action Plan.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 here to report all of the news including the good and the areas where we have to do better,害羞草研究所� the minister said. 害羞草研究所淭his year alone 34,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer in B.C. They are members of my family, and members of many, many other families in B.C.害羞草研究所�

A growing and aging population has spurred increasing demand for cancer care services. Cancer among young people is also increasing, along with a greater number of people with cancer living longer who require ongoing care, Dix added.

害羞草研究所淭he demand for cancer care is of course at an all-time high and is expected to increase as our population grows.害羞草研究所�

The minister pointed out that B.C. has some of the lowest cancer rates and best cancer outcomes in country.

害羞草研究所淏ut I don害羞草研究所檛 think people in British Columbia care that we害羞草研究所檙e doing better than Ontario or Quebec or New Brunswick, or wherever. They want us to do much better.害羞草研究所�

The province is building four new cancer centres, one in Kamloops, another in Nanaimo, a second centre in Surrey and a new facility in Burnaby.

Dix added that 92 cancer-care physicians have been hired recently, including 71 oncologists, as well as 32 additional radiation therapists. Eight Indigenous patient navigators have been hired to support Indigenous patients.

Screening services have also been expanded to help prevent and detect cancers early.

害羞草研究所淭his is critical work as it leads to more effective treatment and better outcomes,害羞草研究所� Dix explained.

This includes cervix self-screening made available province-wide in January, a first-in-Canada option to screen at home. As well, more than 27,000 mammogram, colon and lung screenings were completed this year.

Kelowna resident, Sarah Johnston, who also attended the news conference, found a lump in her breast in 2022.

After consultations with her doctor, a mammogram, ultra sound, and a biopsy, learned she had breast cancer.

害羞草研究所淚n that moment my world turned upside down,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淗ow was I going to tell my kids.害羞草研究所�  

Johnston had a lumpectomy in November the same year and sent for testing at received the results in January 2023.

害羞草研究所淢y lymph nodes were clear, good news, however the bad news was I had an aggressive, fast-growing cancer.害羞草研究所�

She underwent immediate aggressive treatment.

害羞草研究所淚t took a toll on all of us. I lost my beautiful blonde hair and a lot of my energy. But I didn害羞草研究所檛 lose my spirit or my determination.害羞草研究所�

Johnston害羞草研究所檚 last treatment was June 15, 2023.

害羞草研究所淚 walked out of the cancer clinic with a brochure in my hand that said 害羞草研究所淟iving Beyond Cancer害羞草研究所� and thought 害羞草研究所淥k that害羞草研究所檚 over, now what?害羞草研究所� 

Johnston said her cancer journey is not over as she is waiting to see a gynecologist, a breast MRI and future screening.

This year she became a member of BC Cancer - Kelowna's Regional Patient Experience Committee.

害羞草研究所淔or me this work is more than just improving care for people today, it害羞草研究所檚 about ensuring when our loved ones face their own cancer diagnosis that they get the best possible treatment.害羞草研究所�

Dix concluded his remarks noting that his ministry still has work to do.

"Where we are not doing good enough, we pledge to do better and we have the resources to do better."

The province launched B.C.'s Cancer Action Plan in 2023 with an investment of $440 million.