People living with cancer and their caregivers throughout B.C. now have access to accommodation and support services at the Canadian Cancer Society’s new Centre for Cancer Prevention and Support.

The centre will serve as a leading national hub of research and innovation for cancer prevention and survivorship.

“A cancer diagnosis has touched nearly every family in B.C. and this new facility will help save lives through research leading to enhanced prevention, early diagnosis and supportive care,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “The centre is bringing together researchers, innovators, clinical support service providers, community partners, cancer patients and survivors to take discoveries from the lab and apply them to life, faster.”

The fully expanded and renovated 6,500-square-metre (70,000 square feet) facility is located at 575 W. 10th Ave., Vancouver. It is split into two parts: a patient lodge and an operations space with shared amenities.

The lodge has 32 rooms and 62 beds for out-of-town patients. The operations side includes space for research, clinical assessment rooms, offices and meeting rooms.

The shared amenities include a gym, yoga room, meditation garden, lounge and a demonstration kitchen for designing nutritional programs for cancer patients and survivors. The society has also reopened its wig and breast prothesis bank in the centre. 

The renovated patient lodge opened on July 23, 2021. As of Oct. 27, 313 patients and their caregivers have been accommodated there while receiving cancer treatment at nearby facilities. The operations side opened on Nov. 8, 2021. No treatment or diagnosis is provided at the centre.

The setup of the centre allows for research results to come in more rapidly. For example, a nutrition research project carried out on one side of the building can be tested in the demonstration kitchen and implemented with patients at the lodge with immediate feedback for further implementation or research.

Plans are also underway to fill gaps and provide support to underserved populations, such as adolescents, young adults, advanced cancer patients and cancer survivors.

The Centre for Cancer Prevention and Support is a $26-million project funded by a $10-million grant from the Province and a $16-million commitment from the Canadian Cancer Society supported by donations from the community.

Over time, the Canadian Cancer Society anticipates that the centre will become a national leader in research and innovation for cancer prevention and survivor support by connecting discoveries more rapidly to prevention and support programs.

Quotes:

Selina Robinson, MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville and Minister of Finance —

“As a cancer survivor, I understand first-hand the sheer toll this disease takes, not only on the patients but on their families and loved ones. With this new centre, thousands of people living with cancer and their loved ones throughout B.C. will be able to access the new patient lodging facility, giving them a comfortable and specialized place to stay while they undergo cancer treatment in Vancouver.”

George Heyman, MLA for Vancouver-Fairview and Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy —

“Our government is committed to improve patients’ experience and continues to build upon some of the best cancer outcomes in the country. This facility will benefit so many fellow British Columbians as they get access to the life-changing supports they need.”

Andrea Seale, CEO, Canadian Cancer Society —

“We are proud to be opening the doors to our Centre for Cancer Prevention and Support and are grateful for the generous support of the Province of British Columbia. By increasing our attention and investment on preventing cancer, supporting those with cancer and enhancing life after cancer, we can dramatically improve British Columbians’ and Canadians’ physical and mental health.”

Kathy Andrews, cancer survivor –

“Hearing the words, ‘it’s cancer,’ is like a train hitting you. The hardest time for me was when I had finished treatment and was reintegrating into life and dealing with the emotional and physical scars. We need more resources going toward understanding what causes cancer in the first place, what we can do to prevent it and taking care of those who have gone through treatment so they can enjoy a long, healthy and happy life.”

Learn More:

For more information on the Canadian Cancer Society, visit: www.cancer.ca

For more information on the Centre for Cancer Prevention and Support, visit:
https://cancer.ca/en/research/centre-for-cancer-prevention-and-support

A backgrounder follows.