Blog
Discover the stories and breakthroughs that continue to change cancer outcomes across British Columbia.
New technology developed at BC Cancer Agency may revolutionize radiation therapy delivery
The Agency developed a revolutionary technology called Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) that will enable cancer patients to receive faster and more precise radiation …
BC Cancer Agency study shows new drugs improve survival for metastatic breast cancer
An Agency study showed that newer drug therapies available since the 1990s, in particular aromatase inhibitors, improve the survival of women with metastatic breast …
Smoking causes irreversible gene damage
Researchers discovered new evidence that explained why former smokers are still susceptible to lung cancer after they have stopped smoking for many years. The …
Stem cell subtypes discovered by BC Cancer Agency
Researchers discovered that there are distinct subtypes of blood stem cells. Each stem cell behaves uniquely and produces different types of mature blood cells …
BC Cancer Agency scientists discover new gene that suppresses tumour growth
Researchers discovered a novel gene, HACE1, which suppresses the growth of human tumours in multiple cancers including breast, lung and liver cancers as well …
BC Cancer Agency study tests value of online emotional support
The Agency launched the first-of-its-kind study in Canada to test the value of online emotional support in improving the quality of life of young …
Gene mutation lets leukemia fight drug that helps remission
Researchers at the BC Cancer Agency’s Terry Fox Laboratory discovered that chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) stem cells spontaneously develop resistance to Gleevec, possibly due …
New BC Cancer Agency study helps fight childhood cancer
An Agency study found that cells from a common childhood cancer behave much differently when placed in liquid suspension compared to how they grow …
Stem cell “switch” discovered by BC Cancer Agency
Researchers discovered that blood stem cells undergo a rapid change from fetal to adult blood stem cells, early in life. This may lead to …
Genetic link to deadly lung disease discovered at BC Cancer Agency
Researchers at the Agency and Johns Hopkins University discovered that genetic defects in telomeres — a protective “cap” at the end of chromosomes — …