The B.C. government is set to make an announcement Tuesday morning about cancer care in the province.
Few details are being provided at this time but B.C. Premier David Eby and Minister of Health Adrian Dix will be speaking at 10:30 a.m.
That press conference will be carried live on BC1 and in the post above.
The government’s response to those battling cancer in the province has been in the spotlight recently.
In December 2023, the family of a Vancouver Island woman spoke out about their mother’s battle with cancer and the lengthy wait she faced for treatment.
Samia Saikali, 67, was diagnosed with stomach cancer last March but it took 10 weeks for her to see an oncologist at the BC Cancer Agency.
Cancer patient denied insurance coverage
According to the BC Cancer Agency, 97.7 per cent of patients start chemotherapy within 28 days.
However, it’s important to note that is 28 days from when a patient is referred to treatment, which would come after the initial oncology consult.
BC Cancer admits that between testing and diagnostics, the time it takes to that point can add up, in some cases taking months.
Dr. Kim Chi, chief medical officer with BC Cancer, told Global News there is a lot of work being done to address the issues.
“Looking at how we do things, how we can tighten up these timelines, how we can move in more of a parallel type process rather than a series of processes,” he said.
However, Eby said last December that the province is failing to deliver and ultimately failing patients being diagnosed today.
“They have a right to expect that when they reach out to the health-care system they’re going to get the support that they need,” Eby said.
“I am not satisfied with where we are on cancer care in the province.”
More to come