For families

Welcome to this section which is prepared specially for patients with childhood cancer and their families. Here you will find valuable information to help guide you through the various aspects and stages of treatment. You will find additional information as you browse through other areas of this website, such as Childhood Cancer, BC Childhood Cancer Parents Association, and Resources. Financial support information and BC Cancer Agency Financial Information for Patients are also available.

Referral

It is recommended that all patients under the age of 17, who are suspected of having, or are diagnosed with cancer be referred to Children's for initial evaluation and therapy. Such referral is usually by a family physician or pediatrician.

Contact us

Monday - Friday (daytime): 604-875-2116
Administrative Office: 604-875-2322
For very urgent issues after hours: 604-875-2161 and ask for an on call oncologist

Location

The Oncology outpatient department is located within the main Children's Hospital building. For more information about the BC Children's Hospital site, please see Maps & Directions and Parking.

Continuing care

After initial evaluation and treatment, many patients can be treated in their local community under the supervision of a pediatric oncologist (children’s cancer specialist) in partnership with a local physician.

Incidence

Childhood cancer is a rare disease occurring in one in 8,000 children under age 14. Annual incidence of childhood cancer (age 0-14) = 129 per million. There are about 130 new cases diagnosed in children under age 15 each year in BC.

Curability

Children with cancer have a better chance today of living a longer life than ever before. If diagnosed and treated appropriately, the overall cure rate is 70 to 80 per cent.

Page updated July 2007

Links

Privacy

PHSA improves the health of British Columbians by seeking province-wide solutions to specialized health care needs in collaboration with BC health authorities and other partners. For more information, visit http://www.phsa.ca

PHSA agencies include: BC Cancer Agency, BC Centre for Disease Control, BC Children’s Hospital and Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, BC Mental Health & Addiction Services, BC Provincial Renal Agency, BC Transplant, BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre, and Cardiac Services BC.