New breast cancer care coordinator helps women navigate through cancer diagnosis and treatment

March 15, 2011, Abbotsford, BC – Breast cancer patients being treated at the BC Cancer Agency’s Abbotsford Centre and in the eastern Fraser Valley now have access to a breast cancer care coordinator—a registered nurse with special knowledge about cancer—who can help guide them in decision-making about their care and treatment.

Newly diagnosed patients, those already receiving treatment, or those in follow-up care will benefit from the two-year pilot program launched this month. The BC Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, BC/Yukon Region are providing funding for the pilot.

The breast cancer coordinator helps patients and their families by coordinating their overall care and by providing:

information about treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and supporting patients and families through the decision-making process; additional discussion on what medical reports or tests mean; and information and referrals to community supports and resources. Referrals can be made directly by breast cancer patients in the catchment area (Abbotsford, Langley, Maple Ridge, Mission, Chilliwack, or Hope) or their family members, as well as family physicians and surgeons. To make a referral, call 604.851.4710, extension 645278.

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The BC Cancer Foundation is the bridge that connects philanthropic support and research breakthroughs in cancer knowledge. As the fundraising partner of the BC Cancer Agency and the largest charitable funder of cancer research in this province, we enable donors to make contributions to leading-edge research that has a direct impact on improvements to cancer care for patients in British Columbia. We fund with the goal of finding solutions. As an independent charitable organization, we raise funds exclusively for the BC Cancer Agency that support innovative cancer research and compassionate enhancements to patient care.

The BC Cancer Agency, an agency 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.ca.

For more information please contact:

Lubna Ekramoddoullah
Senior Public Affairs Officer
Provincial Health Services Authority
PHSA Public Affairs
604.675.7459
lekramod@phsa.ca