Cancer Care

The screening test for breast cancer is screening mammogram. Regular screening mammograms can find breast cancer early, usually before it has spread. The BC Cancer Breast Screening page provides comprehensive up to date information with regard to Breast Screening, mammograms and so much more.

Mammograms are offered at various clinic locations throughout Interior Health. In addition, BC Cancer offers a mobile mammogram service, which travels to rural and remote communities in Interior Health to improve and increase access to screening mammograms.

To book an in clinic or mobile mammogram call 1-800-663-9203. You can also visit the Clinic Locator page on the BC Cancer website.
 

The screening test for cervical cancer is called a pap test. Pap tests can find abnormal cells in the cervix before they become cancer and can save your life.

If you have a cervix and are between the ages of 25-60, you should be screened every three years. To book a pap test, call your health care provider to make an appointment. If you don’t have a family doctor, find one through Pathways Medical Care Directory, or visit the BC Cancer Cervix Screening page to locate a clinic near you that accepts patients for Pap tests. 

The test is free and can be done by a health-care provider at their office or clinic.

For comprehensive, up to date information with regard to cervix screening go to the BC Cancer Cervix Screening page

Colon screening can save lies by detecting non-cancerous polyps and cancer early. If colon cancer is detected at its earliest stage, the chance of survival is more than 90 per cent.

The screening test for colon cancer is called the fecal immunochemical test (FIT). FIT detects blood in your stool (poop) which can be a sign of pre-cancer. FIT can be done in the comfort of your home. To get a FIT you will need a test kit. To get a test kit, talk to your health care provider who will give you an order form for your free FIT kit. You can then take the order form to a participating lab, and pick up your fit kit. There are no risks in taking a FIT and your results will be sent to your health care provider who will arrange all necessary follow up.

For more comprehensive up to date information related to colon screening go to the BC Cancer Colon Screening page
 

Surgery is often the first step in cancer treatment and can be used to diagnose and treat cancer. More than half of the people diagnosed with cancer will have some type of surgery. To find out if surgery is used to diagnose or treat a specific cancer, please go to the BC Cancer Types of Cancer page for more information.

Cancer surgeries are done by surgeons at hospitals throughout the province, including within Interior Health, with some cancer surgeries done at the BC Cancer – Vancouver Centre. Where surgery is done depends on the type of cancer, location of cancer and stage of cancer and will be discussed between you and your health care team.

For more information on how to prepare for surgery please visit our surgery page.
 

Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells and are used to cure or control fast growing cancer. Chemotherapy is called systemic therapy because the drug travels through blood to cells all over the body, to your whole “system.” Chemotherapy may be given alone or in combination with other treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy or biologic therapy.

Other types of drugs such as hormonal therapy, biological or targeted therapy are also used to kill cancer cells. The BC Cancer Systemic Therapy page is an excellent resource for more information related to this treatment.

Within Interior Health, chemotherapy is administered at our Community Oncology Network clinics located within our acute care facilities or at the BC Cancer – Kelowna Centre.

A team of health-care professionals will support you throughout your treatment. The team includes:

• Oncology specialist
• General practitioner in oncology (GPO)
• Chemotherapy certified registered nurses
• Clerical staff
• Access to social workers
• Access to dietitians
• Indigenous Patient Navigator
• Unit clerks 

Find a clinic within Interior Health

Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, is used to treat some, but not all, cancers. About half of patients with cancer get radiation therapy as part of their treatment. Radiation therapy may be used along or with other treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy.

BC Cancer – Kelowna is the location within the boundaries of Interior Health where radiation therapy is offered.

More comprehensive information on this treatment can be found on BC Cancer Radiation Therapy (RT) page
 

Advance care planning is about thinking and writing down your wishes or instructions for present or future personal and health care needs in case you are not able to make decisions for yourself. It involves reflecting on spiritual, cultural, emotional and mental aspects of your well-being and how these topics guide your own advance care planning. 

These wishes or instructions are then summarized into an Advance Care Plan or Advance Directive. Advance care planning is not a one-time task. Talk with your loved ones and your health care team about the kinds of care you do or don't want to receive. Don't assume that they know what you want.

Learn more about advanced care planning