Northern B.C. residents will benefit from a growing cancer research infrastructure in the North focused on improving early detection and the delivery of cancer care in northern communities. University of Northern BC (UNBC) is in a partnership with others to facilitate cancer research in the North.
“Our collective goal is to increase cancer research across our region,” said Dr. Geoff Payne, regional associate dean, Northern Medical Program and vice provost medicine, UNBC, “which can then be translated into best practice and address the needs of northern and rural populations.”
The NCCS Research Office has developed a number of initiatives to help drive rural, remote, and/or Aboriginal-specific cancer care research in the region. These include an NCCS Research website(www.northerncancerstrategy.ca/Research) which provides researchers with tools such as a provincial/national funding catalog; an academic Northern Oncology Lecture series at UNBC showcasing regional activities; and a new research grant program.
The Northern Cancer Control Strategy is a joint partnership between Northern Health, BC Cancer Agency and the Provincial Health Services Authority.