While significant progress has been providing cancer care services, B.C.91裸聊视频檚 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 NDP91裸聊视频檚 10-Year Cancer Care Action Plan.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 here to report all of the news including the good and the areas where we have to do better,91裸聊视频� the minister said. 91裸聊视频淭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.91裸聊视频�

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.

91裸聊视频淭he demand for cancer care is of course at an all-time high and is expected to increase as our population grows.91裸聊视频�

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

91裸聊视频淏ut I don91裸聊视频檛 think people in British Columbia care that we91裸聊视频檙e doing better than Ontario or Quebec or New Brunswick, or wherever. They want us to do much better.91裸聊视频�

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.

91裸聊视频淭his is critical work as it leads to more effective treatment and better outcomes,91裸聊视频� 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.

91裸聊视频淚n that moment my world turned upside down,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淗ow was I going to tell my kids.91裸聊视频�  

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

91裸聊视频淢y lymph nodes were clear, good news, however the bad news was I had an aggressive, fast-growing cancer.91裸聊视频�

She underwent immediate aggressive treatment.

91裸聊视频淚t took a toll on all of us. I lost my beautiful blonde hair and a lot of my energy. But I didn91裸聊视频檛 lose my spirit or my determination.91裸聊视频�

Johnston91裸聊视频檚 last treatment was June 15, 2023.

91裸聊视频淚 walked out of the cancer clinic with a brochure in my hand that said 91裸聊视频淟iving Beyond Cancer91裸聊视频� and thought 91裸聊视频淥k that91裸聊视频檚 over, now what?91裸聊视频� 

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.

91裸聊视频淔or me this work is more than just improving care for people today, it91裸聊视频檚 about ensuring when our loved ones face their own cancer diagnosis that they get the best possible treatment.91裸聊视频�

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.