Nanaimo cancer centre construction to begin next year
Construction workers are poised to start building a BC Cancer centre in Nanaimo in 2025 – bringing access to critical treatment services closer to home for thousands of people on Vancouver Island.
Nearly one year after announcing the $289-million health-care facility, B.C.’s NDP government says a business plan has been approved.
“Typically on a project of this size, in the hundreds of millions of dollars, that takes 18-24 months. It’s been completed in 11, which demonstrates I think the priority we have here,” says Health Minister Adrian Dix.
The three-storey centre is being built at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital next to the ambulatory care building. The province says the procurement process is underway.
“It will house a CT simulator, a PET/CT diagnostic scanner and an oncology ambulatory care unit with 12 exam rooms, four consult rooms, and space for medical physicists and radiation therapists,” says Dix.
The building is expected to open its doors to patients in 2028.
A Nanaimo men’s health advocate, who brings care packages to other men sharing a cancer diagnosis, says bringing treatment closer to home is a big deal.
“I know I have to travel for treatment and I’ve accepted that,” says Don Helgeson.
He’s recently been diagnosed with a recurrence of prostate cancer. He’s begun treatment in Nanaimo but says travel is required for certain scans and radiation, which adds to a challenging time.
“So what I’ve been told is that I’ve been onboarded to travel to Bellingham, Wash., for my radiation treatments,” says Helgeson. “There’s a possibility that I could have side effects as a result of radiation, so would you rather be in a hotel room in a strange city or would you rather be in your own house where your friends and family are – and you’re surrounded by all your own things?”
In the first year of operation at the new clinic, 20,000 radiation treatments are anticipated for roughly 1,600 patients.
“With increasing rates of cancer, the rapidly growing and aging population in Nanaimo and surrounding communities, we know there’s great need for more cancer services in this part of our province,” says BC Cancer’s chief operating officer Tracy Irwin.
According to statistics released by the province, one in two people will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in B.C.
“Cancer can take so much from you. And you and your family need all of the love and support you can get,” says Joanne Falvai.
The criminology professor and mother of three temporarily relocated her family to Victoria when she went through cancer treatment following a diagnosis in November 2020.
“I’m grateful to our government for answering this call. And while I’m super excited about a cancer centre in Nanaimo, I hope to never see the inside of those radiation machines again.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Family of toddler found dead at small-town Ont. daycare no closer to answers after year of investigation
A year has passed since two-year-old Vienna Irwin was found on the property of a home-based daycare in small-town Ontario, but her family says they are no closer to answers of what happened that day.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
Humboldt Broncos crash victims and families react to decision to deport truck driver
The family of one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018 says they are 'thankful' for a decision by a Calgary immigration board to deport the driver of the truck involved.
Fatal plane crash reported near Squamish, B.C.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has confirmed it is working with local Mounties and the BC Coroners Service after a plane crash near Squamish, B.C. Friday night.
'God forgives but we don’t': Loud outburst from stabbing victim’s family during sentencing hearing
An emotional outburst in a London, Ont. courtroom Friday disrupted the sentencing hearing of a woman who pleaded guilty for her part in the death of 29-year-old Mohammed Abdallah.
Three dead after vehicle plunged down a 100-foot embankment in Shediac, N.B.
Three people have died after a vehicle veered off the road in Shediac N.B., Friday morning.
Appeal denied for Edmonton soldier accused of trying to kill her 3 children
An Edmonton woman found guilty of trying to kill her three children has been denied an appeal.