The British Columbia government is bringing in new programs to address the growing demand for gynecological cancer surgical care.
Premier David Eby says new services in Kelowna and Surrey, and expansions of programs that already exist in Vancouver and Victoria, will nearly double the number of surgeons providing the cancer care in B.C. from eight to 15.
Eby says there’s been a nearly 50 per cent spike in gynecological cancer rates in the last decade and the new centres are needed to meet the needs of the population.
“We have seen this increased demand for cancer treatment in the province and the doctors, the nurses, the health-science professionals, and others who have been working in these centres have been trying to respond with a similar level of resources,” he said Friday.
The province says the program in Kelowna is expected to start in September, with services provided by three new oncologists and as many as 27 staff.
A start date has not been provided for the Surrey program, but the government says in a statement says it will include three gynecological oncologists and an enhanced pre- and post-surgery support team, while an additional oncologist will also be added to the program running in Victoria.
The expansions are being paid for as part of $270 million over the next three years to support the province’s Cancer Action Plan.
Gynecologic cancers include cervical, ovarian, vaginal, endometrial, uterine, cervix, and vulvar.
Health Minister Adrian Dix says expanding services is a significant step forward for female cancer care in B.C.
“This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to providing timely and specialized care for women facing gynecologic cancers and is a crucial part of our broader strategy to support cancer patients and their families across the province,” Dix said in the statement.
-With files from Hana Mae Nassar