Photo Courtesy: Province of British Columbia, Flickr
lung cancer screening

British Columbia first province to roll out early detection lung cancer screening program

Sep 14, 2020 | 11:17 AM

VICTORIA—British Columbians at high risk of lung cancer will soon have the ability to receive early detection screening.

The provincial government has invested in a new lung cancer screening program offered by B.C. Cancer and is the first of its kind in Canada.

“Our new lung cancer screening program will mean more treatment options, faster recovery and better outcomes for people around the province. It’s part of our work to keep people safe and healthy – no matter what they’re dealing with.”—John Horgan, B.C. Premier

The target age group for the screening program will be those ages 50-74 who smoke or have a history of heavy smoking. The Province says that it expects to have its first participants receiving scans by as early as 2022.

The Province anticipates that 300 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer each year, through the program—diagnosing them earlier, allowing for more treatment options.

“Through early detection with this new lung cancer screening program, we will see survival rates dramatically improve. Similar to our other cancer screening programs, British Columbia is leading the way. We are proud to be the first province in Canada to establish a lung cancer screening program.”—Adrian Dix, Minister of Health

British Columbia was also one of the first jurisdictions to create a cervical and breast cancer screening program. The Province adds that six British Columbians die every day of lung cancer.

Photo Courtesy: Province of British Columbia, Flickr.

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