BC Cancer Rolls Out Most Advanced CT Scanner in Canada

VANCOUVER – People in the province with cancer now have access to Canada’s most advanced CT scanner. This new scanner, installed and operational at BC Cancer – Vancouver, uses leading-edge photon-counting technology to deliver more accurate imaging with less radiation exposure to patients.

“B.C. is once again leading the nation in integrating transformative medical technology and tools, helping to achieve better health outcomes and save lives” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “This first-in-Canada CT scanner is a significant milestone in our 10-year cancer action plan. By delivering more precise diagnostic imaging while reducing radiation exposure, we are improving cancer care and supporting people to live fuller, healthier lives – during cancer and beyond.”

Diagnostic imaging is a crucial component in a patient’s cancer journey, providing healthcare teams with the critical information they need for an accurate diagnosis and to create an effective and personalized treatment plan. Compared to conventional CT scanners, photon-counting CT scanners deliver a higher resolution image with less radiation. This new technology provides much more detailed information about a patient’s organs and tissues, enabling radiologists to visualize minute details with exceptional clarity.

“This first-in-Canada scanner is just one example of how, through B.C.’s 10-Year Cancer Action Plan, we are integrating leading-edge technology and the latest innovations to improve the experience of our patients and help them to live the best-possible lives with and beyond cancer,” says Dr. Kim Chi, executive vice-president and chief medical officer, BC Cancer.

The new scanner at BC Cancer – Vancouver will perform more than 14,000 CT scans annually. It replaces a conventional CT scanner that had reached the end of its lifespan after being in operation for 12 years.

“It is truly great to see the partnership between BC Cancer, the Provincial Medical Imaging Office and BC Cancer Foundation enable us to bring the most powerful diagnostic CT scanner to the people of B.C.” says Dr. Maureen O’Donnell, executive vice-president, provincial clinical policy, planning and partnerships, Provincial Health Services Authority. “This was truly a team effort from our frontline diagnostic imaging staff and everyone involved.”

The total project cost was $6 million, with $3 million provided by the BC Cancer Foundation and $3 million from the Province. BC Cancer Foundation’s contribution was fully funded by the Leon Judah Blackmore Foundation.

“The BC Cancer Foundation is proud to invest in groundbreaking technology – like this first-in-Canada scanner – that will save lives,” says Sarah Roth, president & CEO, BC Cancer Foundation.

B.C.’s 10-Year Cancer Action Plan outlines steps to better prevent, detect and treat cancers and deliver improved care, while preparing for growing needs, including building more cancer centres in B.C., adding new diagnostic equipment, hiring new physicians and clinical support staff and expanding cancer screening programs.

Quick Facts:

• CT stands for computerized tomography. With this technology, an x-ray tube rotates around a patient, snapping images of various parts of the inside of their body.
• The Siemens Photon Counting CT at BC Cancer – Vancouver features improved image quality, better diagnostic accuracy, and less radiation exposure, enhancing patient safety without compromising image quality. It will deliver more than 14,000 scans a year.
• The rollout of the most advanced CT scanner in Canada is part of C.’s 10-Year Cancer Care Action Plan, which is centred around improved ways to prevent, detect and treat cancers.

BC Cancer, a program of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. For more information, visit www.bccancer.bc.ca or follow us on Twitter @BCCancer.

BC Cancer Foundation is the fundraising partner of BC Cancer and the largest philanthropic funder of cancer research and care in B.C. Donor support drives leading-edge innovations and helps increase access to treatments across the province – fuelling hope for the 80,000 patients who depend on BC Cancer each year. 

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) provides specialized health care services and programs to communities across British Columbia, the territories of many distinct First Nations. We are grateful to all the First Nations who have cared for and nurtured this land for all time, including the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and səlil̓w̓ətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations on whose unceded and ancestral territory our head office is located. We work in partnership with other B.C. health authorities and the provincial government to deliver province-wide solutions that improve the health of British Columbians. For more information, visit www.phsa.ca or follow us @PHSAofBC.