B.C. expands access to integrated cancer care
By Contributor
Five new integrated cancer care centres, including a virtual one in Vancouver to serve rural and remote parts of British Columbia, will open as part of Healthy Families BC.
Expansion of InspireHealth, which has operated a Vancouver centre since 1997, will improve cancer care delivery and help patients learn about the many ways they can support their own health and recovery.
Integrated cancer care combines nutrition, exercise, and stress management programs with standard cancer treatments to promote an overall healthier lifestyle, which is proven to lead to better patient outcomes and cancer survival rates.
The new InspireHealth centres are scheduled to open in Victoria, Kelowna, Abbotsford and Prince George in a phased approach beginning in September 2011. Full implementation is expected by September 2012.
There is growing evidence that integrated cancer care approaches support health and immune function and can significantly reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and increase survival.
Core health classes, dedicated to supporting health and healthful lifestyle changes such as healthy nutrition and cooking classes, exercise, medication, yoga, shared learning groups and stress reduction classes will be offered at all integrated cancer care centres.
InspireHealth is funded through a mix of physician salaries, patient-pay-fees and private donations.
Access to InspireHealth’s physicians and nurse practitioners is free. InspireHealth has a number of other programs including core health classes, as well as a two-day LIFE Program that costs $445 for the first year of membership and $95 for annual renewals.
The fee is waived for patients on Medical Service Plan Premium Assistance. In-house therapy practitioners –such as massage therapists, acupuncturists and naturopathic doctors – have patient-pay-fees.
The Ministry of Health is providing one-time, start-up funding totalling $2.5 million for five new centres including a virtual one in Vancouver.
Additional annual funding of $2.5 million from the Provincial Health Services Authority will provide up to 12 additional medical doctors.
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