For Dr. Lauren Capozzi, BC Cancer’s first cancer physiatrist — a medical doctor specializing in pain management and rehabilitation — supportive care starts with understanding what matters most to patients.
For example, one man living with metastatic prostate cancer hopes to walk his daughter down the aisle this year. He and Dr. Capozzi are working to make that moment possible.
In addition to a growing rehabilitation program, BC Cancer supportive care includes mental health support, and teams across B.C. are collaborating to ensure patients feel supported physically and mentally throughout their cancer journey.
A new model of cancer rehabilitation
Dr. Capozzi leads BC Cancer’s new provincial rehabilitation program but notes the name does not fully capture its scope.
“Our work begins at diagnosis, supporting patients through every step of their cancer experience — preparing them for treatment, helping them stay stronger throughout it and recover afterward.”
One of only nine cancer physiatrists in Canada, she brings experience from Ontario and Alberta, where rehab is fully integrated into cancer care. Upon opening, her clinic at BC Cancer – Kelowna filled immediately — reflecting the significant need for this critical support.
The new program brings together physiatry (physical rehab and rehab specialists), physiotherapy, occupational therapy, exercise physiology, nutritional support and speech pathology to treat cancer and treatment-related side effects including lymphedema, nerve injuries, joint and muscle pain, fatigue and cognitive changes.
With donor support, Dr. Capozzi is expanding her team and building a more accessible, coordinated rehabilitation program across the province.
- Up to 90% of cancer patients benefit from rehabilitation and exercise programming.
- Colorectal cancer research shows structured exercise reduces the risk of recurrence.
Increasing access to cancer care support
Artificial intelligence (AI) is also opening new possibilities in supportive care. Dr. John-Jose Nunez, a psychiatrist and computer scientist at BC Cancer, is developing AI models to connect people with support earlier in their care journey. One model can predict mental health needs from a patient’s first oncology appointment with more than 70% accuracy.
This success led to a broader question: how could AI improve supportive care for every patient? His team identified a critical gap: navigation. Many patients struggle to find reliable resources, and only 11% access existing supportive care tools on their own.
With donor support, the team is developing an AI Supportive Care Navigator, a chat-style tool to help answer questions such as:
What emotional support is available after cancer?
Can I safely exercise after breast cancer surgery?
What can I eat to help with nausea?
Creating new supportive cancer care spaces
Donor support has also helped create new dedicated supportive care spaces in Vancouver and Victoria, including the Ernie & Yvonne Yakimovich Integrated Care and Research Pavilion. By bringing services together in a welcoming environment — away from treatment such as radiation and chemotherapy — these spaces help patients access care more seamlessly.
New supportive care spaces at BC Cancer serve nearly 20,000 patients each year.
“Donors are making BC Cancer’s vision for supportive care a reality,” says Dr. Alan Bates, BC Cancer’s Provincial Medical Director for Supportive Care.
With expanded clinical teams, AI-powered tools and dedicated supportive care spaces taking shape, BC Cancer is creating a more connected and compassionate system, ensuring patients receive support earlier and throughout every stage of care.
Help Expand Supportive Cancer Care
To support a $2 million fundraising campaign to help expand supportive care programs at BC Cancer, contact Becky Yost at 604.707.5926 or becky.yost@bccancer.bc.ca