Healther You

A Healthier You October 2012

Presented by Northern Health and Glacier Media

Cancer prevention

A peek inside the new BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North

Fundraising for better health in your community Working toward a world free from cancer

Cancer Care:

It takes a

team THE PRINCE GEORGE

CITIZEN THE

PRINCE GEORGE

CITIZEN THE CITIZEN Published By

PRINCE GEORGE

October 2012

A HEALTHIER YOU — 1

2 — A HEALTHIER YOU

October 2012

Inside...

A Healthier You

4

CEO welcome

24

Caring for the caregiver

5

BC Cancer Foundation works towards a cancer-free world

25

Staff profile: Desa Chipman

6

Health Tip: Cancer Prevention

29

BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North construction

8

Health care foundations: Fundraising for better health in your community

30

Bringing patients and specialists together via video conference

10

A peek inside the new BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North

32

One cancer patient’s journey

34

Kordyban Lodge: A dream come true

14

BC Cancer Agency centre to provide the best of care

36

Lasting contributions to cancer research

15

Northern Cancer Control Strategy

38

“WellnessFits” offers free tools for BC businesses THE PRINCE GEORGE

18

Guest Columnist: Dr. Jaco Fourie: Enhancing northern cancer care

20

Feature story: The oncologist team

ON THE COVER: Dr. Stacy Miller, Dr. Christian Fibich, and

Dr. Michelle Sutter in front of the new THE PRINCE GEORGE

BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North

22

A career in cancer treatment

23

Changes in oncology

October 2012

CITIZEN

CITIZEN A Healthier You published by THE CITIZEN and PRINCE GEORGE

A product of

A HEALTHIER YOU — 3

Cathy Ulrich, Northern Health president and chief executive officer

Message from our CEO

Welcome to A Healthier You

Cathy has held her position of president and CEO since 2007. From 2002 to 2007, she was the organization’s vice president, clinical services and chief nursing officer. Before the formation of Northern Health, Ulrich worked in a variety of nursing and management positions in northern B.C., Manitoba, and Alberta. Most of her career has been in rural and northern communities, giving her a solid understanding of their unique health needs.

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Welcome to the fourth edition of A Healthier You magazine. Northern Health has achieved a number of important milestones throughout 2012, including the opening of the Fort St. John Hospital and Peace Villa, beginning the work to replace the hospitals and health centres in Burns Lake and Queen Charlotte, increased physician recruitment in some communities in partnership with communities in northern B.C. and achieving trauma accreditation.

As 2012 closes, we are expecting the new BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North to open its doors.

It has been an exciting to be part of a partnership with the BC Cancer Agency, the Provincial Health Services Authority, and the Fraser Fort George Regional Hospital District since the Centre for the North was officially announced in 2008. The centre will add the capacity to provide radiation treatment for patients diagnosed with cancer closer to their homes in the north rather than having to

travel to cancer centres in southern BC. This edition of A Healthier You will highlight the benefits the Centre for the North will bring to northern B.C. The Centre for the North is just one component of the Northern Cancer Control Strategy (NCCS) – a strategy that includes prevention, screening and diagnosis through to treatment for those diagnosed with cancer to providing support through survivorship programs and end-of-life care. This magazine highlights some of the work that is underway as part of the NCCS. One of the goals of the strategy is to prevent cancer and reduce the number of people who get cancer. In Dr. Ronald Chapman’s article, he discusses the importance of quitting smoking to help prevent cancer. Other articles in this edition focus on teleoncology, the role and responsibilities of oncologists, and the supports that are available for the loved ones of those going through cancer treatment.

I hope you enjoy this edition of A Healthier You! n

October 2012

BC Cancer Foundation

BC Cancer Foundation

works towards a cancer-free world

A

s the BC Cancer Agency gears up to open its doors and expand cancer care services and research in northern B.C., its fundraising partner, the BC Cancer Foundation, is growing roots in the community. The BC Cancer Foundation fundraises in support of research and enhancements to care at each of the BC Cancer Agency’s centres around the province.

Priority research initiatives — spanning lab-based cellular studies to clinical trials — help to uncover new knowledge about cancer, how it affects each patient individually, and how best to treat each patient.

The foundation plays an integral role in funding research initiatives with the most promise, with the aim of ultimately allowing more people to live cancer-free lives.

Over the years, many northern B.C. residents have been making a difference in the lives of British Columbians diagnosed with cancer by taking part in epic events, such as the Ride to Conquer Cancer and the former Weekend to End Women’s Cancers, benefitting the BC Cancer Foundation and contributing to improved outcomes for patients in their own community.

Research is helping to inform prevention, screening, and treatment strategies to reduce the incidence of cancer and

October 2012

help more people in the community survive cancer.

Through the BC Cancer Foundation’s Innovation Support Fund, researchers and clinicians at the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North in Prince George will have the opportunity to acquire new equipment for life-saving research initiatives.

This fund will complement the new, state-of-the-art Centre for the North, offering enormous opportunities to support innovative research that offers hope to patients of a future with improved, targeted treatment.

The BC Cancer Agency also conducts meticulous data collection. With infrastructure and research funding from the BC Cancer Foundation, clinicians collect each patient’s data from diagnosis and throughout their entire journey; from this data, they are able to conduct studies to better understand which patients will benefit from specific therapies.

As the fundraising partner of the BC Cancer Agency and the largest charitable funder of cancer research in BC, the BC Cancer Foundation is looking forward to deepening our partnerships within the community as we work together toward a world free from cancer.

For more information or to donate, go to www.bccancerfoundation.com. n

A HEALTHIER YOU — 5

Health tip

Health tip

Cancer Prevention

A Ronald Chapman is a physician with a fellowship in community medicine, and extensive experience in the leadership and management of health services with a focus on community health. Dr. Chapman joined the Northern Health team in 2007 as regional director of the Northern Cancer Control Strategy. Dr. Chapman assumed the role of the Chief Medical Health Officer of Northern Health in June 2011 in addition to his regional director role.

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pproximately 50 per cent of cancers and most chronic conditions are preventable. Recognizing there are other factors that can cause cancers and other chronic diseases, some risky behaviors that have a strong influence on developing cancers include smoking, diet, physical inactivity, body weight, high risk sexual behavior, drug use and sun exposure.

The prevention of cancer, or reducing the number of cancer incidence rates in northern B.C., is one of the four goals in the Northern Cancer Control Strategy (NCCS).

Reducing mortality rates due to cancer, improving access to cancer services for the northern population and improving the quality of life for patients in the north who are living with cancer are the other goals in the NCCS. The NCCS prevention strategy includes healthy eating and active living, immunization for human papillomavirus, tobacco reduction and identifying and mitigating radon gas exposure. Focusing on the tobacco reduction piece is important for northern B.C., as tobacco use is higher than in other areas of the province. This is especially important as tobacco use has been linked to

at least 15 types of cancer.

One of the many great programs put into action is the Stop Smoking Before Surgery Intervention Program being led by our front-line staff and tobacco reduction team.

If you are a tobacco user, your heart and lungs are less healthy and this increases the risk of complications during surgery.

You have higher levels of carbon monoxide in your blood and this reduces your body’s ability to repair itself. Your wound may not heal as well and you have an increased risk of lung infection. The risk of post surgical infection may be up to six times higher for tobacco users who choose not to quit before surgery. Numerous studies have shown that tobacco users have longer hospital stays and quitting before surgery can allow a patient to return to their normal life sooner.

Patients are supported to stay tobacco free while in the hospital, with access to nicotine patches, gum or inhalers as required. The smoke free grounds policy also helps prevent exposure to smoke and tobacco for other patients, visitors, staff and physicians.

Cont’d on page 7

October 2012

Health tip Cont’d from page 6 Support to quit allows the patient to make an important life choice to stop using tobacco.

There are a number of resources available to those looking to continue on their successful path after being discharged from the hospital, and those in the general public looking to quit. Quitnow.ca is operated by the BC Lung Association and provides resources to help tobacco users quit successfully. The Canadian Cancer Society has developed the One Step at a Time program that has useful information in several languages for tobacco users and their families. The online publication can be found at cancer.ca.

Additionally, each calendar year all British Columbians are eligible to receive 12 weeks of free nicotine replacement products, including patches and gum, to help them kick nicotine use to the curb. These services can be accessed by calling HealthLink BC at 8-1-1. There is also assistance to buy medications such as Zyban (bupropion) or Champix (varenicline).

Reducing tobacco use, active living, healthy eating and taking good care of yourself are ways to help reduce your risk of developing cancers and other chronic diseases. n

October 2012

A HEALTHIER YOU — 7

Fundraising for

Health care foundations

better health in your community

Health care foundations around the north

Throughout northern B.C., health care foundations work with communities and donors on a variety of fundraising programs.

The money they raise helps improves health care for local residents. It’s often used to buy specialized equipment for hospitals and clinics, like the warmers for premature babies that the Dawson Creek and District Hospital Foundation bought earlier this year (see the April 2012 issue of A Healthier You. Cont’d on page 9

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October 2012

Cont’d from page 8

Prince George: Festival of Trees just around the corner The 19th annual Festival of Trees will transform the Prince George Civic Centre into an enchanted forest from November 23 to December 2.

Every year the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation has created a holiday wonderland of dazzling displays, carefully adorned trees, entertainment, lights and fun – and this year will not be any different. The committee has been working very hard to bring you a Festival of Trees that will help you start the 2012 holiday season with a smile on your face.

The public is warmly invited to take part in these events held during the festival: • Gala Evening Auction • Santa Brunch • Fashion Show • Children’s Craft World • Seniors’ Tea • Jingle Bell Dance • Teddy Bear Breakfast There will also be a gift shop where you may just find that one-of-a-kind gift. If you can’t join us for one of the special events, please come down and enjoy the wonders of the magical Festival of Trees during the public viewing times.

The Festival of Trees is a Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation event; it’s their way of thanking the community for all of the support they’ve received over the years. All the proceeds from the festival are used to support and enhance healthcare in our communities and at UHNBC. Many families have made the festival a tradition and use it to kick off their holiday festivities.

For more information, visit www.spiritofthenorth.ca, or call us at 250.565.2515.

Health care foundations flow and a more professional and secure facility for emergency department staff.

Currently, nurses must use hallway space as a work station, which forces them to have their backs towards patients and face away from the entrance.

The investment to the Kitimat General Hospital is the first for the hospital foundation. The foundation has been raising money since February 2011, including partnerships with the last two Bulloramas (Kitimat’s indoor rodeo) and many generous donations from local businesses and community organizations

North Coast Health Improvement Society Update Tony Briglio with the North Savings Credit Union has made a generous donation of $2500 to be used at Acropolis Manor in Prince Rupert. Luckily, Tony came across the funds after he won a draw for a prize of a $2500 charitable donation of the winner’s choice. Tony decided to donate his money to Acropolis Manor, through the North Coast Health Improvement Society, as it is a special place for him. We are very appreciative of the donation, and it will help us to enhance the stay for the residents at Acropolis Manor. n

Dawson Creek: New cancer centre almost a reality The Dawson Creek and District Hospital Foundation’s donors made the South Peace Cancer Centre of Hope a reality just over a year ago. This was a decisive victory in the fight against cancer for patients in Dawson Creek. The Foundation celebrates with the BC Cancer Agency on their amazing accomplishment for this region, and honours all the dedicated staff and courageous patients who daily wage war with this disease -- their courage is inspirational!

Kitimat: Foundation helps fund donation to remodel local ER Northern Health and the Kitimat General Hospital Foundation have reached an agreement to fund a $30,000 remodeling of the nurses’ and doctors’ station in the emergency department of the Kitimat General Hospital.

The project will create a glassed-in work station, which will provide improved patient confidentiality, better patient October 2012

A HEALTHIER YOU — 9

By Peter James | PG Citizen Citizen photos by Brent Braaten

BC Cancer Agency

A peek inside the new

BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North

B

right open spaces and high-tech clinical equipment highlight the new BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North.

The facility, set to open later this year, will offer cancer patients in the region a full menu of treatment options close to home.

“We wanted to design the building to be as welcoming and comforting as possible and minimize the stress,” said Aletha Humphreys, BC Cancer Agency interim regional operations director.

Construction on the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North began in Prince George during the summer of 2010. It will be the BC Cancer Agency’s sixth regional cancer centre in the province.

Entry way at the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, provides cancer care programs for people in British Columbia and the Yukon. Its mandate includes setting provincial standards for prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, and palliative cancer care. Through the use of partnerships, research, evidence-based protocols and person-centered care, the BC Cancer Agency continues to make progress towards its mission to reduce the incidence and mortality of cancer, as well as improve the quality of life of those living with cancer.

One way to make things easier for patients and their families was to keep all the clinical and treatment facilities on the main floor of the building, making it simpler to navigate. There’s a common waiting room just down the hall from the main entrance, which serves the clinic as well as the chemotherapy and radiation treatment areas.

One of the innovative features of the centre is the general clinic on the main floor. The model at other regional centres has been to have separate clinics for patients in the medical oncology and the radiation oncology streams, but in Prince George they’re housed in the same area.

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October 2012

Cont’d from page 10 “As cancer care is progressing, we’re doing a lot more of what we call dual modality,” Humphreys said. “Traditionally, you would have had chemo and then radiation or radiation and them chemo, but with dual modality it can be chemo and them some radiation, more chemo and then more radiation.”

With just one clinic, it’s a one-stop shop for both the patients and more streamlined for the medical staff.

Across from the 12 exam rooms in the clinic is the team room, where physicians and pharmacists can work together to determine different treatment options for the patients. The spacious room is full of computer terminals, all equipped with dual monitors.

“Having a pharmacist on site brings the multidisciplinary team closer together,” Humphreys said, adding discussions between the professionals can take place with the patient still on site in the waiting room.

The clinic is also equipped with its own ear, nose and throat examination room as well as sterilization equipment in the next room.

There are also two telehealth rooms that allow physicians to be in video contact with patients at other clinics throughout the region.

“Our physicians are as comfortable providing assessments and follow ups through telehealth as they are at the clinic,” Humphreys said. “They may be seeing one patient across the hall in an exam room and the next patient might be via the telehealth unit.”

Cont’d on page 12

October 2012

BC Cancer Agency

Ear nose throat room at the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North

A HEALTHIER YOU — 11

BC Cancer Agency Cont’d from page 11 Finally, the clinic has a soundproof room set aside for patient counseling. It’s also a place where patients and their families can go to discuss any news from their physician. *** Once a patient enters the radiation treatment area, they walk down a short hallway to a bright waiting room with big windows.

The warm design of the room also includes a fireplace and elevated chairs for patients who have difficulty pulling themselves up from standard chairs.

Before receiving radiation therapy, patients need a CT scan to plan out the treatment. The CT simulator at the new centre is slightly different from a diagnostic CT scanner because it’s equipped with a completely flat bed.

“The flat couch is required because that needs to mimic what’s on the radiation therapy machines themselves,” Humphreys said.

“You want to be planning for the patient in the same position they’ll be on the treatment machine.”

Once the scans are complete, the data is brought to a team of physicists who map out the precise treatment for each patient.

The radiation treatment rooms are located just down the hall from where the physicists plan the treatment. Named after the Nechako and Fraser rivers, the rooms are home to two linear accelerator machines, on which patients will receive doses of radiation used to treat their cancer.

There’s also an ambulance entrance in the back of the radiation treatment area for patients who are coming in for palliative care — radiation can be used both to treat the disease itself and the symptoms of cancer. The ambulance bay is tucked away so that patients arriving on stretchers don’t need to be wheeled through a public area. *** The brightly lit chemotherapy treatment room is full of windows looking out onto the street, but since it’s pushed back from the sideway and located about half a story off the ground, it still provides privacy for those receiving care.

The chemotherapy area is organized so that patients can choose

Waiting area at BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North

to be in a more social area where they can sit with others who will be receiving their medications, or in a more private area where they’re given their drugs on their own. Patients will also be able to choose between sitting during treatment or lying down.

“The nice thing about having stretchers or having the capacity for stretchers if that if a patient is feeling quite poorly or they’re quite tired throughout their treatment and want to lie down, they have the space and the opportunity,” Humphreys said, adding the procurement team sought out stretchers with comfortable mattresses.

There’s also an isolation room so patients in need of special infection control can still receive treatment. Humphreys said it can also double as a very private room for patients who so desire.

The nurses’ station is located right in the middle of the room, so they can monitor all the patients easily. The glass around the station goes all the way to the ceiling so nurses can be on the phone and still preserve patient confidentially.

The pharmacy is conveniently located right next the chemotherapy area, making it a short trip for nurses needing to get the medication for patients. *** Cont’d on page 13

A CT simulator at the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North

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October 2012

BC Cancer Agency Cont’d from page 12 Although the clinical and treatment facilities are centralized on the main floor, there are some patient areas on the second floor as well.

Patient and family counseling, social work, nutrition and genetic counseling services all have offices upstairs. A multipurpose room will be used for group sessions, including relaxation therapy using specially designed chairs.

A multi-faith spiritual care room on the second floor will be available to patients and families. Designed in a circular style with First Nations input, it will be another quiet place for people to reflect during their treatment.

The upper level also features staff offices and administration suites and a videoconferencing room so staff can connect with other BC Cancer Agency centres around the province. *** A pair of outdoor patios -- one on each level -- give patients, their families and staff a chance to enjoy the outdoors.

On the main level an accessible walkway leads to a cultural pavilion surrounded by a healing garden. The plants were selected for their healing characteristics with the help of First Nations traditional healers from the region.

There’s a short looping walkway built for accessibility with handrails and a level terrain. There are also some hand impressions from last year’s final concrete pour celebration, including some from a patient and family who had to travel for treatment and others from local provincial politicians Pat Bell and Shirley Bond.

“Although you’re tucked between two buildings, there’s still a real sense of calm here and seclusion,” Humphreys said. “It’s going to be a place where patients or family can seek some respite throughout their treatment.”

On the second level a few stairs lead to a patient patio located on the building’s green roof, which provides environmental benefits to the building including insulation.

The patio overlooks the neighbouring Kordyban Lodge, a place where out-of-town patients and their caregivers can stay when visiting the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North. There’s also a staff-only patio on the other side of the roof. *** The interior design was completed with local landmarks in mind. The floor tiles feature a river pattern to reflect the Fraser and Nechako, with some tiles designed to look like logs, reflective of the region’s forestry history.

The design of the main entrance has a similar feel to the front of UHNBC, adding some continuity for patients.

The cancer centre is also connected by an indoor corridor link to the hospital where patients can receive lab work and diagnostic imaging. Below the patient link is a service link for employees going between the two facilities.

Wood is also a theme throughout the centre, which gives the facility less of an institutional feel. Many of the privacy windows in patient rooms also echo the forestry theme with images of forests.

“The architects that we worked with were very patientattuned and seeing it from a patient-family perspective,” Humphreys said. n October 2012

A HEALTHIER YOU — 13

By Peter James | PG Citizen

BC Cancer Agency

Cancer Centre

designed to allow staff members to provide the best care T

he new BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North was designed with patients in mind, but the new facility has some amenities for staff as well.

No longer will employees have to prepare charts in windowless offices, workspaces have ergonomic-friendly designs and there’s plenty of space for staff to get their jobs

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done behind the scenes. BC Cancer Agency interim regional operations director Aletha Humphreys said an effort was made to make the workspaces more pleasant. For instance, the chart prep room in the clinic has exterior windows and the pharmacy is on the main floor, rather than being buried in the basement.“Often support services like this are tucked away or in internal offices,” she said. “It’s been nice with this design that a lot of workspaces where people will be throughout the day have been given natural light.”The team room features some sit/stand stations so doctors and pharmacists can decide how they want to work. The onetouch stations can quickly be raised or lowered to match each worker’s preference.Throughout the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North some of the furniture was designed in a modular fashion so it can be moved around easily if staff members decide a remodeled room would work more efficiently. In the upstairs multi-purpose room, the modular tables can be reconfigured depending on the needs of each session. Finally, each treatment area has both a patient and service entrance so cleaning, laundry and other staff can move efficiently through the building getting all the required day-to-day work done without disrupting patient flow. n

October 2012

Northern Cancer Control Strategy

October 2012

NCCS

F

or almost two decades, advocates in northern B.C. have been attempting to get additional cancer resources in the north, and in 2008, their dream finally came true.

In May 2008, the Province of BC announced they would fund the Northern Cancer Control Strategy (NCCS), which included the creation of the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North. The NCCS became a collaborative program between the BC Cancer Agency, which is responsible for cancer prevention, screening, and treatment across the province, the Provincial Health Service Authority, and Northern Health, which provides health services for residents of northern B.C. In developing the business plan for the NCCS, community consultations were put into place to understand the needs of northerners in preventing and treating cancer. As Northern Health covers two-thirds of the Province of BC, and services many rural-remote communities, typical strategies used in urban settings where other BC Cancer Agency centres reside may not have been as effective here.

Cont’d on page 16

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NCCS Cont’d from page 15 “During the consultations, we continuously heard that information on prevention, access to screening, and getting treatment closer to home topped the list of needs,” said Dr. Ronald Chapman, the executive director of the NCCS. Following the community consultations, and approval from the Province, the strategy was officially launched with a focus on enhancing the continuum of cancer services in the north, including prevention, screening, detection and diagnosis, treatment, and patient supportive care.

Mirroring the mission of the BC Cancer Agency, the four key goals of the Northern Cancer Control Strategy are to reduce cancer incidence in northern B.C., reduce mortality due to cancer, improve access to cancer services for the northern population, and improve the quality of life for patients in the north who are living with cancer.

“Through this multi-faceted strategy, we have been working closely with our partners to ensure northern residents are able to access a full range of cancer services closer to home,” said Dr. Max Coppes, president of the BC Cancer Agency.

“The programs and networks enhanced through the NCCS will not only deliver state-of-the-art cancer care, they will also help reduce the impact of cancer, by encouraging healthier lifestyles and screening participation across the north.”

Banner cutting at cancer clinic in Vanderhoof “There are a number of unique parts to the NCCS,” said Cathy Ulrich, Northern Health’s chief executive officer and president. “This includes the partnership between the Provincial Health Services Authority, the BC Cancer Agency, and Northern Health; working with First Nations communities on how to provide culturally competent care; looking at cancer over a large spectrum from prevention to end of life and survivorship support; working with UNBC and UBC on researching cancer needs in the north; and investigating the patient journey to make it’s as simple to understand as possible.”

For patients living with cancer there are three main treatment options: radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.

Radiation therapy will be offered for the first time in the north once the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North in Prince George opens its doors in late 2012. This will reduce the burden on patients having to travel to other BC Cancer Agency centres in Kelowna, Abbotsford, Vancouver, Surrey or Victoria, or even out of province to Edmonton for treatment.

Chemotherapy and surgery were offered in a number of different locations across the region before the creation of the NCCS. However, the NCCS brought two new community cancer clinics on board, in Vanderhoof and Haida Gwaii, increasing the northern regional network to a total of ten clinics.

Having the NCCS in place benefits staff as well, such as for the nurse who provides chemotherapy treatment on Haida Gwaii. This nurse has about 15 treatments per year to administer. However, each nurse has to complete at least 50 treatments per year to keep their certification to provide chemotherapy treatment; as such, only working on the island would not allow this staff member to meet their required target.

In order to ensure this nurse keeps their skill level, the nurse is brought to a larger centre for a month to cover vacation, or provide extra service, and can then treat the necessary amount of patients to meet certification levels.

Cont’d on page 17

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October 2012

NCCS

Groundbreaking for the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North (July 2010) Cont’d from page 16 As part of the NCCS, diagnostic service renovations (lab and medical imaging) were also completed at the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia (UHNBC). These will help to support the expanded services required when the Centre for the North opens. While the renovations were

October 2012

phase one of a two part NCCS project, phase two will be the development of six oncology beds at UHNBC, expected to start after the centre opens. Northern Health is funding 60 per cent and the Fraser Fort George Regional Hospital District is funding the remaining 40 per cent of the total project costs.

Another key piece to the strategy is the Canadian Cancer Society Kordyban Lodge, which will be there to provide temporary affordable housing for cancer patients being treated at the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North. The Canadian Cancer Society was the lead in the fundraising effort, construction, and will operate the facility. With a campaign goal of $10 million to build the facility, the fundraising campaign exceeded $12 million. This facility will play a critical role in the NCCS as it will provide patients and their families that do have to travel for treatment an affordable place to stay.

There is still work left to ensure the strategy stays strong.

The work moving forward will include the start of operations and patient care at the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North and continuing to improve cancer prevention, screening, and treatment in rural communities.

For more information on the NCCS visit northerncancerstrategy.ca. n

A HEALTHIER YOU — 17

Enhancing

Guest Columnist

northern cancer care T

Dr. Jaco Fourie

Dr. Jaco Fourie is the medical lead, Oncology for Northern Health and is based at Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace, B.C. Dr. Fourie joined the medical staff in Terrace in 1995, working in both the hospital and private practice during the past 17 years. Prior to relocating to Terrace, Dr. Fourie practiced in South Africa, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Saskatchewan.

Dr. Fourie’s hobbies include archery, fly fishing, motorcycling, boating, and spending time with his family.

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he Northern Cancer Control Strategy (NCCS) is a unique framework that was developed by dedicated stakeholders from Northern Health, the BC Cancer Agency and the Provincial Health Services Authority to help improve cancer care outcomes in northern B.C. and bring care closer to home.

As medical lead for oncology services at Northern Health, I have worked within the NCCS partnership on various initiatives that will help to make a difference in the lives of our northern cancer patients. In my role, I provide medical support for the continued development of cancer control in the north at a primary care level. This includes the further enhancement of prevention, screening and diagnostic programs, and improving patient cancer journeys and survivorship programs.

In the past year, we have been focused on improving communication between community cancer clinics. This included a pilot study which demonstrated the benefit of using telehealth (video-conferencing for medical appointments) on a large scale with general practitioners of oncology (GPOs) at clinics that were “cross delivering” chemotherapy to northern patients. Treatment direction was provided successfully to over 20 patients in Terrace via video-link for a month by several GPOs from Haida Gwaii, Smithers and Vanderhoof.

This pilot study is a good example of initiatives we are undertaking to enhance best practices in northern cancer care. It utilized the excellent GPO skill set we are privileged to have in the north, supported by an extensive telehealth system, as well as proficient and dedicated cancer clinic nursing, pharmacy and administrative staff.

As the first stage of the strategy comes to an end in late 2012 with the completion of the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North, research in cancer care in the north will become an even bigger part of the NCCS focus, as NCCS partners work in close cooperation

with the University of Northern BC (UNBC).

To help improve cancer recovery outcomes, NCCS partners are also prioritizing the development of clinical programs in both the diagnostic and patient follow-up phases of cancer care. We believe most gains will be achieved in successful participation and innovation in screening programs, as well as integration of diagnostic programs to speed up diagnosis of potential cancer.

Several projects in the past year have looked at improving diagnostic test time lines for northerners. These include a program to shorten the time needed to diagnose breast cancer for women living in remote areas, like Haida Gwaii. A coordinated approach to lung tumor diagnosis is being developed in northwest B.C., together with the BC Cancer Agency, to cut down on the length of the diagnostic process, improve diagnostic information and reduce repeat travel. Initiatives like these are also being developed in the interior and northeast regions.

Efforts to enhance ongoing monitoring of cancer patients post-treatment and survivorship care are also underway. We are developing a software program to track northern patients after their treatment has ended, with the intention of following cancer survivors seamlessly to detect a return of their primary cancer early, help spot new second primary cancers, treat complications from previous cancer treatment, and also help support cancer survivors physically and mentally. Enhanced follow-up will result in better long term survival and improved quality of life for survivors.

The development of electronic patient monitoring systems that can be shared by both Northern Health and BC Cancer Agency staff will enable easier data collection and review. This will help provide consistency, save time and create a wealth of clinical information that will be invaluable for research and patient care quality assurance. n October 2012

October 2012

A HEALTHIER YOU — 19

Feature

By Peter James | PG Citizen Citizen photos by Brent Braaten

It takes a

team It

takes a team to treat cancer and the new BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North will make that teamwork easier and provide patients with more options.

Every cancer is different, which is why the oncologists at the new cancer centre and their colleagues at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. (UHNBC) need to work together to figure out the best treatment for each patient.

Construction of the new centre was completed this summer and the building is currently being equipped so that it can be ready for its grand opening later this year.

Oncology (the care of cancer) is divided up into three disciplines — medical, radiation and surgical — and each have their strengths in certain situations.

Medical oncologists use whole body treatments like chemotherapy or molecularly targeted therapy that affect the whole body while killing the cancer cells. Radiation oncologists use high-energy photons or X-rays to treat the disease in precise locations. Surgical oncologists perform biopsies and extract tumours through surgery.

Medical oncologists, like Dr. Christian Fibich as well as radiation oncologists, like Dr. Stacy Miller, work directly for the BC Cancer Agency and will be working out of the new BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North. Prince George doesn’t have any dedicated surgical oncologists, but general surgeons like Dr. Michelle Sutter, work out of the hospital and do many cancer-related surgeries.

In order to get to an oncologist, a patient must first have a suspected diagnosis of cancer and that often originates with a family doctor.

“A typical patient pathway would be that the family doctor finds a lump in the breast of a woman and is suspicious that it might be breast cancer. The next step, then, would be to get a biopsy and that can be done through surgery,” Fibich said.

Once the biopsy is complete and more information on the cancer is available, the oncologists can determine which types of therapies will work best for each specific case.

As is the case with all cancers, there are many options to

20 — A HEALTHIER YOU

treat breast cancer. However, the decision is often between having a surgeon remove the entire breast or having surgery just to remove the tumour — known as a lumpectomy.

“As long as the tumour is not too big, surgery is the first treatment,” Sutter said. “You remove the tumour and you sample the lymph nodes to see if the cancer has gone to the lymph nodes. Further treatment depends on whether or not it’s gone to the lymph nodes or other factors about the cancer.”

Once the samples are collected and analyzed, a treatment plan is developed which can include radiation, chemotherapy or both.

“After a partial mastectomy, radiation is provided to the remainder of the breast to prevent local recurrence,” Miller explained, adding that radiation can also be used to treat the disease if it has spread to the lymph nodes.

Chemotherapy, or another type of full system treatment, can also be used to treat any cancer that may have moved to other parts of the body.

“At least three quarters of all cancers require chemotherapy because the cancer has spread either visibly or microscopically throughout the body and localized treatment is not going to treat it well or even cure it,” Fibich said.

In addition to Fibich and Miller, the new BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North has other oncologists on staff; meanwhile, all the general surgeons at the hospital do some cancer-related work as part of their jobs.

Locally, the doctors already convene regularly to determine the best treatment options for each patient and have access to province-wide BC Cancer Agency tumour groups if they need help deciding how to deal with a challenging or unique case.

“We have the support of the BC Cancer Agency to have a provincial multi-disciplinary tumour group,” Miller explained. “We use it when needed to discuss with other oncologists, radiologists or pathologists, when there’s a question in a case or when we want to have more input to come up with the best decision.”

October 2012

Feature

Cont’d from page 21

Dr. Christian Fibich, medical oncologist

Dr. Michelle Sutter, general surgeon

Fibich said tumour groups often provide explicit directions on the best practices for certain types of tricky cancers and are a great tool for quality control across the province.

The new BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North will make informal conferences between local oncologists easier because they will have their offices and their treatment facilities all under one roof. Fibich said it will also provide the opportunity to have wider-ranging, more formal conferences due to the extra space available at the centre.

“In the new centre, we will have case conferences where other specialists, internists, surgeons and family physicians will be able to present cases and say, ‘OK, this is the question, how do we combine our knowledge and opinions to decide on the best treatments out of the all the specialties for this patient,’” he said, adding improved electronic connections means video conferences with tumour groups will also be easier.

Sutter is looking forward to being able to meet with her colleagues more regularly once the new centre is fully functional.

“The beauty of those meetings is that everybody learns,” she said. “You have a collegial discussion about what everyone thinks the treatment plan should be and you learn other people’s opinions and more about the disease.”

All three doctors agree the new BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North means the most for radiation oncology services. When the equipment is all up and running soon, it means radiation therapy will be able to be done in Prince George, which will mean many fewer trips to other centres across the province for northern cancer patients. Miller said that will likely result in more patients choosing radiation treatment as an option.

“There are patients who may choose to have a different October 2012

Dr. Stacy Miller, radiation oncologist

treatment approach, for example a woman with localized breast cancer has options of a (complete) mastectomy or a partial mastectomy with radiation,” she said. “A woman who is either unable or doesn’t wish to travel may choose a (complete) mastectomy instead of having breast-conserving therapy, whereas now that option will be available closer to home.”

Sutter said she currently does more complete mastectomies than the provincial average but expects that to change with radiation soon to be available.

Radiation therapy can also be used in a palliative sense, as a way to lessen the symptoms of a non-operable form of cancer. Having the treatment close to home could lead more people to choose that type of care as they’ll no longer have to balance the benefits of receiving it to the downside of losing valuable time with their families.

Having the radiation therapy equipment in Prince George will also mean that Miller will be better able to support her patients and build stronger relationships with them as she can be there during all phases of their care.

The group of oncologists in Prince George and across the region is part of an even larger team in the region that help patients battling cancer get the best outcomes possible.

The team includes pharmacists, pathologists, nurses, social workers, dieticians, psychologists and many others. Fibich said the work done by fellow health professionals is critical to providing top notch care.

“We sit down with many health care professionals because cancer care is much more than just the medical side of it,” he said. “(Sometimes) you have a patient who is crying, in tears after having received some very bad news.

“Sometimes just a hug, some compassion and care from some non-medical parts of the team helps. There’s more to cancer care than just the medical part.” n A HEALTHIER YOU — 21

By Peter James | PG Citizen

Feature

career

A in cancer

treatment

E

xperiences as medical students played a large part in the oncology career of three Prince George doctors.

None of them had considered careers in cancer treatment until they were exposed to the specialty as part of their practical lessons in school.

Dr. Stacy Miller, the lead radiation oncologist at the soon to open BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North, said she made up her mind instantly after getting her first taste of the type of work she’s made a career of doing.

“During my training I had not intended to do oncology, to be honest,” she said. “I had the opportunity to do a rotation in radiation oncology at the BC Cancer Agency in the third year of my training. On the second day of a 10-day rotation, I decided that’s what I wanted to do.”

Miller said there wasn’t one thing that jumped out on her during the first day that made her want to go into radiation oncology; instead it was the cumulative impact of what being a radiation oncologist meant.

“On the first day I thought, ‘this is really great,’” Miller recalled. “By the second day (I thought), ‘Wow, this has to be it.’”

Dr. Christian Fibich, a medical oncologist for the BC Cancer Agency, also had his interest piqued in school.

“I came to medical oncology through a research project that happened as part of my doctoral thesis in Germany, towards the end of medical school,” he said.

That research project turned into a career as Fibich did his residency and training in oncology and blood cancer.

Dr. Michelle Sutter also chose to specialize in surgery after a medical school awakening. Although Prince George doesn’t have enough patients to warrant a dedicated surgical oncologist, Sutter has many patients with breast or bowel cancers which require surgery to treat.

22 — A HEALTHIER YOU

Dr. Stacy Miller in one of the radiation therapy treatment rooms at the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North

“When I was in medical school, surgery was not on my list so to speak,” said Sutter, a general surgeon who works out of the University Hospital of Northern B.C. “In my fourth year of medical school, which in those days is when we did all our clinical work with patients, I really enjoyed surgery.”

The doctors have no regrets about their career choices and said they still enjoy their work.

“It’s a really exciting specialty that provides wonderful contact with patients and the technology, imaging and pathology are interesting,” Miller explained.

Sutter said being a surgeon requires her to draw on a variety of skills, which she finds interesting and challenging.

“I like surgery because it’s a mixture of the thinking aspect of medicine, but also the technical aspect of medicine — technique, sewing and taking things out and putting them back together,” she said. n October 2012

Oncology

By Peter James | PG Citizen

Changes in oncology

C

ancer care is always evolving as new therapies are found and new techniques are perfected.

BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North medical oncologist Dr. Christian Fibich said some of the biggest changes in his field revolve around the use of drugs that can target specific aspects of certain types of cancer.

“I would say in a quarter to a third of all cancers that we treat nowadays we have targeted therapies that are directed at specific molecular changes that are present in the cancer, but not in the normal, healthy cells,” he said.

The challenge from a diagnostic perspective is that the drugs are designed to work against very specific types of cancers so doctors need to work hand-in-hand with pathologists to make sure the right treatment is used in the right case.

“The prerequisite for using those new drugs optimally is that you actually know what you’re dealing with and that’s where the pathologists come in,” Fibich said.

From a surgical perspective, Dr. Michelle Sutter, a surgeon at UHNBC, said one of the biggest changes in her area of cancer treatment was the development of a new type of biopsy.

“One of the advances has been something called the sentinel lymph node biopsy,” she said. “Instead of taking out a lot of lymph nodes, we only take out a few. We use a colour tracer and a radioactive tracer to find the few lymph nodes that are the sentinel or the lymph nodes that first drain the area.”

Sutter said by taking out less tissue, it leads to fewer side effects.

In radiation treatment, advances in technology have meant doctors can be more precise in how they target tumours, which is better for the patient.

“I think one of the biggest things that’s changed is our imaging capability and technology which allows us to provide more closely targeted radiotherapy,” Centre for the North radiation oncologist Dr. Stacy Miller said. “We can use specific imaging and techniques to target the radiation as tightly as possible to the tumour while minimizing exposure to other structures around the tumour.”

“Although it’s the same tool, it’s used quite differently for different tumour sites,” she said. n October 2012

A HEALTHIER YOU — 23

Caregiver

Caring for the caregiver A

also a priority

cancer diagnosis impacts not only the patient, but their family and their support networks. All of a sudden, that child, parent, friend, or spouse is entering a phase that’s full of change.

Cancer treatment and supports are often focused on the patient and their wishes. But most patients do want at least some members of their familial and social networks to be part of the process. As well, strong social networks can aid patients’ recovery. Therefore, Northern Health provides supports for the families and friends of patients going through the cancer journey.

Lois Smith, regional professional practice leader for patient and family counseling with the new BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North in Prince George, says there are a number of resources available for families and friends of patients undergoing cancer treatment.

“Cancer impacts almost every aspect of a person’s life, even outside of the medical side of the cancer treatment.

They may need support in areas including personal, financial, spiritual, emotional, informational, and cultural,” said Smith. “Each person diagnosed with cancer has a different support system; it could be family members dealing with their child’s or aging parent’s diagnosis, or someone seeking help for their partner. Supports that are developed should respect the patient’s wishes.” She also noted that caregivers shouldn’t be afraid to seek help for themselves separately.

Smith says that one of the best resources available is the BC Cancer Agency’s website at www.bccancer.bc.ca, which has great information about how to cope with the various stages of cancer, from diagnosis to end-of-life care and survivorship.

Are you part of a support network for a cancer patient -perhaps a friend, family member, or coworker?

Here are some key ways you can help yourself and the patient at the same time: • If a patient invites you to attend a meeting with doctors, nurses, or other healthcare professionals, take good notes. These written records will help ease the situation as the patient may feel anxious in the meeting and potentially miss some of the details.

• Take care of yourself, including eating healthy, staying physically active, getting enough sleep, and enjoying outside interests.

• Ask for help if needed. Family, caregivers and patients can call Patient and Family Counselling for support when the new Centre for the North opens later this fall. “Caregivers must also remember to try to take care of themselves as well, and ask for help and support – that is what we at the BC Cancer Agency’s Patient & Family Counselling department are here for,” says Smith.

Smith notes it’s important to try to not let cancer completely take over the patient’s life, or your life as a caregiver.

Keep in mind that the patient still has their unique spirit, talents, gifts and preferences, before and during their journey with cancer, and that they need to be treated with respect for their ability to direct their own care, if that’s still possible. They may have new limitations, such as limited physical and emotional energy, but it’s imperative to seek “joy-filling activities” as much as possible for both patients and caregivers. Ask the patient what they want or don’t want, and respect their choices. n 24 — A HEALTHIER YOU

October 2012

Staff Profile

Desa Chipman What is your position with Northern Health?

I am the executive assistant to the chief executive officer and Board of Directors of Northern Health. In my role, I’m responsible for coordinating, organizing and providing secretarial and administrative support activities to the chief executive officer and the Board of Directors of Northern Health. In addition, I lead the executive assistants team to ensure consistency of policies and procedures among the administrative professionals in the organization.

Cont’d on page 26

October 2012

A HEALTHIER YOU — 25

Cont’d from page 25

Describe your family life.

My husband Scott and I have been married for 21 years. We have one son, Zach, who is 14 years old and is an active member of the Bel Canto Youth Choir. We are a family who thrives on being together and laughing a lot so there is always something mischievous going on in our house. Being the only female in the family, I am appropriately known as “The Princess.”

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Comox, B.C. but my family relocated to northern British Columbia when I was just two years old. I was raised in the northern communities of Fort Fraser and Vanderhoof, B.C. After graduating from high school I moved to North Vancouver where I married and experienced city life for 10 years.

Where do you currently live?

We live in beautiful Prince George.

What brought you to your community?

When we had our son in 1998 we knew it was time to move back home to the north where we could be close to family.

Moving back home has allowed our son to build relationships with family members that he never would have had if we had remained in North Vancouver.

26 — A HEALTHIER YOU

Staff Profile What is the most rewarding part about living where you do?

Prince George offers a versatile lifestyle and that is why we love it here. We often go geocaching on the weekends where we go on great hikes and experience the beauty of the outdoors. As there is a great arts and entertainment community we get to attend as many theatre and music events as we can. There are such talented people in Prince George and the productions are always first-class.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

As an organization, we are constantly working to evolve and improve on providing the best quality health care for the people in the north. Being a member of the executive team who leads these initiatives is definitely the most rewarding.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

As the gatekeeper, confidant, gofer, record keeper and coordinator, the challenges that I constantly face are the need to communicate effectively with individuals of all professional levels.

I need to always be organized and on top of everything that is requested to ensure that I don’t drop the ball.

Cont’d on page 27

October 2012

Staff Profile Cont’d from page 26

What is your favourite hobby/activity?

To relax, I enjoy reading - there is nothing like a good book to help you escape from the craziness of life. I also enjoy hiking, road trips and having crazy family game nights where you never know what will happen!

Understanding you have gone through cancer treatment, can you talk about the importance of getting treatment close to home?

For me, traveling away from my home increased my fear and anxiety of being sick with the additional financial worry. We were navigating through unfamiliar places and meeting so many doctors that at the end of the day I wanted nothing more than to be at home where I could hug my son and lose myself in the distractions of home life, such as cooking and cleaning. Instead, my husband and I were staying in hotels or on people’s couches and staring at four walls that were not our own, trying to be strong. Being at home would have certainly reduced the stress that was involved.

Cont’d on page 28

October 2012

A HEALTHIER YOU — 27

Cont’d from page 27

How important was it to have family close while going through that challenging experience?

Family and friends give strength and that is so important when fighting cancer. There were times where I struggled to face the day, but when my son would walk in the room I would immediately feel better. When a family member would just show up to have a visit or when a friend would call to invite me out to distract me as I waited for results of a test, I would feel better.

Having family and friends close gave me that strength to face life and fight. To this day, I don’t think they truly realize how much they helped me. My husband has always been my rock and being at home gave him the support he needed as well.

Staff Profile What are your ultimate life goals?

My goal for now is to remain healthy, finish raising my incredible son and enjoy living life with my husband. My mother passed away when I was seven years old and the quote on her headstone says “A Beautiful Person” - to be like my mother; that is my ultimate life goal. n

Describe some of the advocacy work you have engaged in after conquering cancer.

As a cervical cancer survivor I am always looking for ways to promote awareness and support for women who are fighting gynecologic cancers. I have participated in the Prince George 24 Hour Relay for Life since 2002. I am a volunteer with the Cancer Connections Program where I speak to women who are going through a similar situation as I did. I joined the Gynecologic Cancer Action Group (GCAG) in 2010 where we developed the Companion Guide for Women Newly Diagnosed with Gynecologic Cancer titled Taking it Step by Step. I am proud to say this guide is now in doctors’ offices across British Columbia. Through the GCAG, I was asked to write an article for the “Abreast & the Rest” magazine, titled Help through the Unknown. Last summer I decided to challenge myself and participate in the 60km Walk to End Women’s Cancer event which was held in Vancouver.

Next summer I plan to participate in the Underwear Affair which raises money to fight cancers below the belt and promotes awareness of down there-ness!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I am very fortunate that I live in a community I love, have wonderful family and friends around me and work in a job I enjoy.

I hope that in five years I am still living where I live, laughing every day and doing what I love.

28 — A HEALTHIER YOU

October 2012

Cancer Centre construction

Construction on the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North.

Left to right: Fred Banham, Peace River Regional Hospital District; Kim Frech, Peace River Regional Hospital District; Richard Mumford, Cariboo Regional Hospital District Chair; Janis Bell, Cariboo Regional Hospital District; Stoney Stoltenberg, North West Regional Hospital District; Ralph Roy, Stuart Nechako Regional Hospital District; Karen Goodings, Peace River Regional Hospital District; Cam McIntyre, Northern Health Board Member; Sharon Hartwell, Northern Health Board Member; Cathy Ulrich, Northern Health CEO.

R001340346/R001340349

Left to right: Kate O’Neil, Northern Health Board Member; Charles Jago, Northern Health Board Chair; Yvonne Koerner, North West Regional Hospital District Administrator; Dave Koerner; Barbara Caldwell, Northern Health Board Member; Gary Townsend, Northern Health Board Member; Gordon Milne, Northern Health Board Member.

October 2012

A HEALTHIER YOU — 29

Telehealth

Bringing

cancer patients and specialists

together via video conferenceÂ

R001329657 / R001329691

As

part of enhancements made to cancer services in the north, patients and their families across the region are now benefiting from video conferencing technology, called Telehealth, which provides greater access to cancer care specialists.

Telehealth services use a camera and television screen for live real-time consultations over a confidential and secure network between patients and health care professionals who are in different locations. For example, a patient who lives in Smithers can talk directly and conveniently to a BC Cancer Agency oncologist working in Prince George.

Patients are able to stay closer to home through this type of appointment, travelling less often and remaining close to loved ones providing support.

Cont’d on page 31

30 — A HEALTHIER YOU

October 2012

Telehealth Cont’d from page 30 “Performing consults over video conference has dramatically improved the care I can provide for patients living in rural communities,” said Dr. Rob Olson, radiation oncologist with the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North.

“Not only does it save patients money and time, but it also allows me to assess and care for patients who are too sick or anxious to travel. It also enables me to connect with many family members at one time, rather than just one who could afford to travel, which is essential in decisions and discussions in situations such as end of life planning.”

As part of the Northern Cancer Control Strategy (NCCS), the BC Cancer Agency and Northern Health worked together to put in place a region-wide Telehealth network across the north. Conferencing for cancer care is now available in either cancer clinics or health facilities in 15 northern communities: Fort Nelson, Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, Prince George, Quesnel, Vanderhoof, Granisle, Smithers, Terrace, Kitimat, Dease Lake, Prince Rupert, Queen Charlotte and Masset.

“At an already very stressful time, the thought of arranging to get to Vancouver from Smithers was completely overwhelming,” said Laurie Hoas, a cancer patient from the Bulkley Valley. “I found the teleconference method to be very close to meeting in person, and all my pre-written questions were answered. When I finally saw Dr. Olson in person, it felt like we had already met. I would recommend a video conference for anyone concerned about time and finances when living in a remote area.”

Through Telehealth, patients will have greater access to: • Initial and follow-up appointments • Navigation support • Psychosocial, dietary and pharmaceutical support • Family visits • Discharge planning • Hereditary cancer genetic counseling In addition to patient care benefits, cancer care staff in the north will benefit from the new technology through improved education and resource opportunities, including direct consultations on specific patient cases with other colleagues and specialists around the province.

The Telehealth program for oncology services in the north has been modeled after programs coordinated through the BC Cancer Agency in other parts of the province. The program was first launched in 2006 with consults taking place between the BC Cancer Agency Vancouver Island Centre and health facilities around the island region. Since then, the service has seen a steady increase in participation throughout B.C. n

October 2012

A HEALTHIER YOU — 31

journey Cancer Survivor

One cancer patient’s

H

ugh Dool, a mechanic, has lived in Fort St. John for almost 40 years. In January 2010, after he started to notice inflammation in some of his joints, he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer that had spread into his lungs. Hugh received treatment in Fort St. John, but in 2010, he was advised to go the BC Cancer Agency Sindi Ahluwalia Hawkins Centre for the Southern Interior in Kelowna for specialized treatment. This was his first contact with the BC Cancer Agency. Hugh says they were very supportive through the entire treatment process, and kept him informed about his treatment and options available. This helped him through his patient journey.

He started chemotherapy in Kelowna, and would later have surgery at Kelowna General Hospital to remove parts of his lungs and esophagus. Luckily, Hugh’s sister-in-law lives in Kelowna, giving him and his wife a place to stay.

The support out of town was also supplemented by support back home in Fort St. John. “We’ve been in this community for 34 years, so your neighbors and friends are there to help, even with taking care of the yard when we were out of town. My support network was very strong and helpful,” said Hugh.

After his surgery, Hugh decided to return to Fort St. John to continue chemotherapy closer to home. He says it was great to have his support network, including wife and three children, closer to him. He also says being at home eased the process for his family as well: they could now see him any time, instead of making a special trip to Kelowna or waiting for him to come home. Having treatment in Fort

32 — A HEALTHIER YOU

St. John meant he was able to include his family and close friends in the process, and it gave them first-hand reassurance that he was getting the right care.

“I would like to say we did have very good service in our time of need and the people at the chemotherapy clinic in Fort St. John were very good,” said Hugh, “There were things I would worry about from time to time, and even if I just dropped in they would be willing to support you in any way you needed.”

While in Fort St. John, Hugh took advantage of Telehealth (videoconferencing) to meet with his doctor at the BC Cancer Agency centre in Kelowna. Hugh feels he received the same attention and care as if he’d physically made the trip to Kelowna to meet with the doctor. The virtual consultation also was a huge cost saving in terms of travel costs.

At the time of Hugh’s diagnosis, construction of the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North in Prince George was in the early stages. As someone who’s had to go through the process, Hugh believes this centre will be a huge benefit to the region, as it significantly cuts down on travel time to receive treatment for most northerners and will allow more people to receive treatment closer to home. In Hugh’s case, it would mean about a six-hour drive to Prince George, instead of an expensive flight or a 15-hour drive to Kelowna.

Hugh is very thankful for the support he received from the BC Cancer Agency and Northern Health. He is one of the fortunate northerners to make it through his bout with cancer, and returned back to work in the spring of 2011. n

October 2012

October 2012

A HEALTHIER YOU — 33

Kordyban Lodge

By Ted Clarke| PG Citizen

A dream

come true

M

ary Kordyban pays weekly visits to chart the progress of a building now under construction on a residential street in the heart of Prince George.

But this isn’t just any building. To Kordyban, it has great sentimental value.

It pays tribute to the memory of her late husband William (Bill), and when it’s completed later this year, the Canadian Cancer Society Kordyban Lodge will be there to provide temporary affordable housing for cancer patients being treated at the adjacent BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North.

Mary and Bill came to Prince George from Edmonton in 1951 and together they built Carrier Lumber into one of the region’s largest forestry employers. Bill died in 2000, after a 2 1/2-month battle with cancer. Five years later, the family started the Mary Kordyban Foundation with a $2 million donation; this became the cornerstone gift for the Lodge.

“It’s just so exhilarating and it’s so nice to know something is being done for the northern region for cancer care,” said Mary Kordyban. “When I saw the first cement walls being poured, it just reminded me of my first home in Prince George. It’s just sort of a dream come true.”

“It’s going to be a home away from home, where people are closer to family. Once a person has experienced having to travel and be away from family, it is very hard. I had a chance to go to Vancouver with a lady who was getting radiation in Vancouver and when I realized what she was going through, I thought I had to do something for cancer care for the north.”

Cont’d on page 35

34 — A HEALTHIER YOU

October 2012

cont’d from page 34 The $10 million, 25,000 square-foot lodge is also being built with the help of generous donations from the Novak family ($1 million), West Fraser Timber ($1 million), Canfor ($500,000), TELUS ($400,000), and Northland Auto Group ($300,000) among many others. The provincial government also provided a $2 million contribution. A volunteer Campaign Cabinet chaired by Henry Novak raised the funds needed to build the Kordyban Lodge.

“We had a fundraising committee and it’s amazing how it came together, we raised the money we needed in such a short time,” Kordyban said. “A lot of people have gone through that stage and they know what it means. One nice thing about it is the money that goes to the Kordyban Lodge stays in Prince George.

“I wanted it be in the north because that’s where my husband spent all his energy and his life. I hope it will serve a lot of people and I hope people will be happy.”

Each year, nearly 1,200 northern B.C. residents stay in Canadian Cancer Society lodges in Kelowna, Victoria and Vancouver. That travel is necessary for patients to receive radiation therapy. Once the new treatment centre opens, that service will be available in Prince George, and the length of those trips will be considerably shorter for the people of the region.

The 36-bed Kordyban Lodge will provide full meal services, as well as a massage therapy room, a library, an activity area, and an exercise room, and will give patients access to wigs and prosthetics. Each room has two beds, designed for one adult cancer patient and a caregiver. If there’s enough room, additional family members will be able to stay at the Lodge. The Lodge is not designed for children with cancer; kids will continue to receive treatment at the BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver.

Northland Auto Group’s $300,000 contribution is recognized with the naming of the family room and one of the private guest rooms. Clients will be able to book the family room, which will have its own private kitchenette and outdoor patio, for family functions and barbecues.

“We’re very focused on giving back to the residents of the north and the cancer lodge is a great one because the family room and the private rooms will benefit people from around the north that may have to stay at the lodge,” said Northland Dodge owner Brent Marshall. “This is [the region] where I grew up, in Houston, and I want to give back. This is exciting.”

The West Fraser Lounge will provide a large common area with a vaulted ceiling and large stone fireplace where people can socialize in couches and comfy chairs. Adjacent to that will be the TELUS activity room, which will have a pool table and large-screen TV and card tables.

The lodge will also offer Canadian Cancer Society support and health promotion programs.

The Provincial Health Services Authority will fund a portion of the daily operations. Current fees are $43 per night for cancer patients and $55 for caregivers.

Private donations for the new lodge exceeded $10 million.

The $1 million contribution of the Novak family, which October 2012

Kordyban Lodge operates Dunkley Lumber Ltd. near Hixon, is acknowledged with the naming of the Spiritual and Meditation Room.

“It touches everybody, and we’ve waited a long time, and so many people have had to travel to Kelowna or Vancouver for years,” said Canadian Cancer Society regional director Margaret Jones-Bricker. “Cancer and health care are so topof-mind for most people, the cause spoke for itself.”

The lodge will have only minimal staff on hand and JonesBricker said that will create plenty of opportunities for volunteers. Those interested in helping can call the Canadian Cancer Society at 250-564-0885.

The need for the lodge was identified during the planning stages of the 54,000-square-foot BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North, and a partnership known as the Northern Cancer Control Strategy, which involves the province, the BC Cancer Agency, the Provincial Health Services Authority and Northern Health.

Kordyban is anxiously awaiting the grand opening of the Lodge.

“I go by there about once a week,” she said. “I don’t know why but it gives me such great comfort to know there will be care for people living in the areas surrounding Prince George and that makes me so happy.” n

A HEALTHIER YOU — 35

Cancer Research

Northern B.C. residents can make

lasting contributions

to cancer research

T

he BC Generations Project conducted its first participant assessment in 2009 and since then, it has recruited over 25,000 more to join in the largest cancer prevention study ever conducted in B.C.

With just six months left to sign up participants, the project has launched an online version of its health and lifestyle questionnaire, making it more convenient to join.

Researchers are hoping central interior and northern B.C. residents will continue to support the project as eagerly as they did last summer, when over 1,000 participants stopped by for in-person assessments at a temporary centre that was set up in Prince George for six weeks.

“We were so pleased with the enthusiasm of participants,” said Dr. John Spinelli, principal investigator of the BC Generations Project. “Our findings will only be strengthened with representation from the entire province so to have such a great turnout in the central interior was extremely important.

We are hoping to keep the momentum going and reach more communities with our new web-based questionnaire.”

Cont’d on page 36

36 — A HEALTHIER YOU

October 2012

Cancer Research

Cont’d from page 37 By collecting a range of health and lifestyle data from participants aged 35 to 69, scientists are hoping to develop a better understanding of how factors like genetics, environment, lifestyle and behaviour contribute to the risk of developing cancer. And because the risk factors for cancer are shared by other chronic diseases, the massive data repository created by this project will also be useful for studying illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes.

The BC Generations Project is part of a larger national study called the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow project, which aims to recruit up to 300,000 participants from five study centres across Canada. Up to 40,000 study members are expected to hail from B.C. “We heard loud and clear from the residents of northern B.C. that they’re eager to do their part in learning how to prevent cancer in the future.”

– Dr. John Spinelli To join the project, participants complete a questionnaire about their health, lifestyle and family medical history. They may also be asked to donate blood and urine samples when they join. The project’s optional assessment centres allow participants to have additional measurements taken, including bone density, body mass and blood pressure.

Spinelli is gratified by the enthusiastic response the study has enjoyed so far. “This project is a way that ordinary British Columbians can help to advance our knowledge of the causes of cancer,” he said. “We heard loud and clear from the residents of northern B.C. that they’re eager to do their part in learning how to prevent cancer in the future.”

For more information or to participate, visit bcgenerationsproject.ca. n October 2012

A HEALTHIER YOU — 37

WellnessFits

Submission from the Canadian Cancer Society

Fitting wellness into the workplace:

“WellnessFits” offers free tools for BC businesses

W

orkplace wellness programs are an important business strategy. Not only are they essential for improving employee health and wellbeing, but they also reflect a business’s reputation as a socially responsible employer.

Workplace wellness programs attract new talent, and help retain and engage current employees. In fact, the 2007-2008 Towers Perrin Global Workforce Study showed that the most powerful influencer of employee engagement was found to be “the knowledge that senior management is sincerely interested in my well-being” (1).

Often small businesses with limited resources think they can’t offer a workplace wellness program. The Canadian

Cancer Society, BC and Yukon Division, in partnership with Healthy Families BC, are helping to address this challenge.

WellnessFits (www.wellnessfits.ca) is a free comprehensive workplace wellness program that offers businesses and organizations the resources and support they need to create healthy workplace programs. These include online tools and information on healthy eating, physical activity, healthy minds, being tobacco-free, and sun and UV awareness.

There are options to address the different needs of small, medium and large businesses. The program also offers customized support and consultation via phone, email and on-site visits.

The first step in creating a healthier work environment is to assess your company’s current workplace wellness needs.

Take the Workplace Check, a free online workplace assessment that takes only a few minutes to complete (the link’s at the bottom of the page at www.wellnessfits.ca).

Once you know what workplace wellness areas to focus on, explore the free program resources, including: • Information sheets • Ready-made activities • Materials to help you promote WellnessFits in your organization • Evaluation surveys you can use to get employee feedback Every business can benefit from creating a healthy work environment. With a little effort, small changes in the workplace can help make the healthier choice the easier choice for employees.

WellnessFits is a partnership of the Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon and the Province of British Columbia’s Healthy Families BC initiative. Together, we are pleased to offer WellnessFits to improve employee health and to reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.

To learn more about the WellnessFits program, visit wellnessfits.ca or contact us at 1-855-939-9355 or wellnessfits@ bc.cancer.ca. n Reference: 1) Towers Perrin. 2007. The Evolving Global Workforce: Insights, Strategies and Solutions. 2007-2008

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