“(We are) strengthening cancer care in B.C.” That's what B.C. Premier David Eby said Sunday morning to announce the provincial government is expanding access to a new form of cancer treatment. cancer treatment in Vancouver.
Beginning this month, leukemia and lymphoma patients at Vancouver General Hospital will have access to chimeric antigen receptor therapy, also known as CAR-T therapy.
“Cancer affects many people in B.C.,” Eby mentioned.
“We aim to lead the nation in better and faster ways to prevent, detect and treat cancers in order to stop this disease. That’s why we are now supporting eligible cancer patients and their families facing the most serious cancer threats by providing CAR-T therapy in British Columbia.”
CAR-T therapy will also be available at BC Children’s Hospital for young patients.
The expansion of services will be funded through the B.C. government’s three-year, $270-million plan for new spending on cancer treatment and care.
Dr. Kim Chi from the BC Cancer Foundation said this form of immunotherapy will have a positive impact.
“This is a treatment that teaches a patient’s own white cells to identify and destroy cancer cells,” he said. “The funding announced today will further speed up and enhance cancer care in our province, now and in the future.”
Last year, over 30,000 British Columbians were diagnosed with cancer after over 600,000 screenings.
Health Minister Adrian Dix stated that the demand for more specialized cancer treatment and therapies is increasing as the province’s population ages.
B.C. has also hired 80 new cancer doctors in the past 12 months.
