14.02°C Vancouver

Apr 8, 2025 6:49 PM - The Canadian Press

Program that sent British Columbians to the U.S. for cancer treatment ends

Share On
program-that-sent-british-columbians-to-the-u-s-for-cancer-treatment-ends
The province says a total of 1,107 patients have completed radiation therapy in the United States through the program, but the use of that option has been in steady decline.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

British Columbia is ending a program that sent cancer patients to the United States for treatment, saying provincial wait times have improved enough that they no longer have to rely on clinics south of the border.

A statement from the Ministry of Health says as of the end of February, about 93 per cent of patients are waiting less than four weeks to start their radiation treatment, an improvement from spring 2023, when that number was only 69 per cent.

It says the national benchmark is 90 per cent.

The province began funding as many as 50 radiation patients each week in May 2023 for treatment at clinics in Washington state, saying that in was necessary to ensure people got faster access to life-saving treatment.

The Health Ministry says since April 1, 2023, B.C. has added 224.6 full-time equivalent health-care providers to regional cancer centres, upgraded existing hospital space and expanded travel programs for people living in rural and remote communities.

The province says a total of 1,107 patients have completed radiation therapy in the United States through the program, but the use of that option has been in steady decline.

It says estimates are that approximately 104 patients would access the program over the coming year if it were to continue, and those people can now be accommodated in B.C.

"By hiring more specialists, upgrading our hospitals, and expanding innovative treatments, B.C.'s 10-Year Cancer Action Plan is working to improve wait times for radiation therapy and meet national benchmarks," Health Minister Josie Osborne says in the news release.

"Thanks to the progress we've made over the past two years, we can now safely wind down this temporary program and focus on getting patients the care they need in B.C."

Latest news

40-member-provincial-task-force-to-fight-extortion-crisis-in-b-c
BCSep 17, 2025

40 member provincial task force to fight extortion crisis in B.C., 6 extortion related arrests made so far

The B.C. government has announced a provincial extortion task force to investigate the extortion-related files that have become a concern for many areas of the province. The task force will be led by the B.C. RCMP and will consist of a total of 40 members. In addition to the RCMP, this force will include members from the Surrey Police Service, Delta Police Department, Abbotsford Police Department and Metro Vancouver Transit Police. In addition, members of the Canada Border Services Agency and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit and members of the BC Anti-Gang Police Team will also be
details-coming-soon-on-gun-buyback-program-minister
CanadaSep 17, 2025

Details coming soon on gun buyback program: minister

The public safety minister says details on the Liberal government’s gun buyback program will be released within the next couple of weeks. Gary Anandasangaree says the government will provide information on next steps and the mechanics of the program very soon. Anandasangaree says he is confident collection facilities will be available in Ontario even though the Ontario Provincial Police has said they won’t directly participate in the program. He says other police have already signed on though he did not say which ones. During the spring federal election, the Liberals promised to implement
police-investigating-another-prowler-incident
BCSep 17, 2025

Police investigating another prowler incident

The Nanaimo RCMP continues to investigate several reports of a prowler in residential neighbourhoods throughout central and south Nanaimo. In the early morning hours of September 16, 2025, a resident returned home to find an unknown male standing on the patio of their ground floor apartment looking into the windows. The male fled prior to police arrival and was not located. “These incidents continue to be priority files as they are causing concern in our community,” said R/Cst Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP. Patrol officers have increased their presence in the affected areas and inve
ontario-premier-urges-carney-to-maintain-tariff-on-chinese-evs-despite-canola-levy
CanadaSep 17, 2025

Ontario premier urges Carney to maintain tariff on Chinese EVs despite canola levy

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to maintain Canada's 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles, saying the measure is critical to securing a trade deal with the U.S. and protecting Canada's auto sector. Carney met with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe yesterday to talk about China's canola tariffs, which are largely seen as a retaliatory measure triggered by the electric vehicle tariff. China charges a 76 per cent tariff on Canadian canola seed imports and a 100 per cent tariff on canola oil, meal and peas. Ford's open letter to the prime minister, relea
police-investigating-homicide-on-spruce-street
BCSep 17, 2025

Police investigating homicide on Spruce Street

Prince George RCMP is currently investigating a homicide that occurred on September 16, 2025, on the 1900-block of Spruce Street. “The initial call to Frontline Police officers was received around 3:30 a.m. Investigators attended a residence on Spruce Street to find one person deceased and a second person suffering from gun shot wounds. Multiple people in the residence were detained during the investigation and were subsequently released without charge,” states Corporal Jennifer Cooper, Media Relations Officer for the Prince George RCMP. Police believe this to be a targeted event with

Related News