The state launched the nation's first HPV self-screening program to detect the virus that can cause cervical cancer as part of cancer screening programs, with about 30,000 tests ordered since Jan. 29.
B.C.'s health minister shared successes and challenges from the first year of the province's 10-year cancer control plan and said nearly 30,000 people across the province have requested HPV screening tests since January.
The plan, which aims to improve efforts to prevent, detect and treat cancer, was launched in February last year.
“We've made great progress this year, but we need to build on that progress in year two,” Adrian Dix said. “We still have work to do, and we're committed to doing better in the areas where we haven't performed well enough, and we have the resources to do so.”
The state launched the nation's first HPV self-screening program on January 29 to detect the virus that can cause cervical cancer as part of cancer screening programs.
Since the start of the year, 29,724 cervical self-test kits have been distributed, including 5,748 from Island Health.
HPV vaccination uptake is increasing, with 76% of 17-year-old girls and 73% of 17-year-old boys having received the recommended two doses as of March 31. The national goal is 90% coverage.
The state will use its “Get Vaccinated” registration and appointment system to inform eligible individuals how to receive the HPV vaccination at no cost.
“We can eliminate cervical cancer in this state,” Dix said.
According to the one-year progress report, among the improvements made between the reporting period of April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024 are the addition of 71 oncologists (not full-time equivalent), 32 radiation therapists and the hiring of eight Indigenous patient navigators.
“We have made a huge, very important investment in the people who work in our cancer care system and provide exceptional care to ourselves and our loved ones,” Dix said.
In terms of cancer prevention and early detection, the state reported an increase of 27,326 mammograms, colonoscopy and lung exams this year, a 6.6 percent increase in medical oncology consultations and a 9 percent increase in the initiation of IV chemotherapy.
Then last May, BC Cancer expanded hours and increased PET/CT testing capacity across the province, including Victoria.
As of October 2023, 16 to 25 scans are being performed per day at BC Cancer in Victoria. At the same time, BC Cancer is implementing a provincial referral program, giving patients the option to go to another regional centre to receive a diagnosis sooner.
The increase in emergency cancer surgeries, which Dix said needed improvement, was just 153 surgeries, or 1.1 per cent, up from last year.
63.8% of emergency cases were operated on within four weeks, and 82% of emergency cases were operated on within six weeks — both increases of less than 1%. Neither increase is “good enough,” Dix said. The state's goal is to have 80% of emergency cases operated on within four weeks.
“We need to do more to reduce wait times for emergency surgeries,” Dix said. “We are committed to meeting and exceeding the state's goal of 80 percent of emergency surgeries being performed within four weeks.”
Radiation therapy for cancer treatment is also an area where the state struggles.
BC performed 177,096 radiation treatments last year, an increase of 4.7 per cent, but continues to send eligible patients waiting beyond the benchmark wait time for radiation treatment for breast and prostate cancer to Bellingham, Wash. A total of 599 patients (457 breast cancer, 142 prostate cancer) completed their radiation treatment there.
According to the state, 76.1% of people received radiation therapy within the standard four-week period, up 11.1% from the previous year.
The province plans to continue extending radiation therapy hours across B.C. to meet demand.
Dix noted the introduction of CAR T-cell therapy for patients with advanced leukemia and lymphoma in B.C., that 63 new clinical trials have been launched in the past year, and that a total of 157 clinical trials are expected to enroll participants in 2023 “in every region of B.C.”
CAR-T therapy, a type of immunotherapy that can be a life-saving treatment option when other cancer treatments have failed, began at Vancouver General Hospital in April. Previously, eligible patients were referred from outside the province or country to receive CAR-T therapy.
Dr. Kim Chi, chief medical officer for BC's Cancer Agency, said the province has hired an “unprecedented” number of new specialists and clinicians, made available 12 new cancer drugs and introduced 58 new systemic therapy protocols, “all with proven benefits for patients.” “This means more options for people battling cancer, and they can live longer, better lives,” Dr. Chi said.
The annual funding allocated to BC Cancer in 2023-2024 is $90 million, with an additional $90 million added in 2024-2025.
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